10 Years of Priceless

Ten years.

That's a FULL DECADE! And it does have a certain way of making me feel older. Just like when I had my 10th high school reunion in 2010. But this is a much better celebration than just being graduated from high school. Monte & I have hit a milestone in married years that has become harder and harder for couples to reach these days. And in reality, it hasn't been that hard to stay married. I'll expound.

First of all, we both had/have excellent examples of marriages all around us. Perfect marriage? No. But exemplary in their commitment to what marriage is supposed to be and making sure that every day that commitment is renewed mutually with a higher purpose of giving much due honor & glory to God. Needless to say, we were set up for success before we ever even thought about getting married or meeting each other. Priceless.

Secondly, we are both wholeheartedly convicted that Jesus is Lord. When we keep God at the center of our marriage and the reason we live and breathe and have our being, we empower, not only our marriage, but each other in our relationships with Christ. Priceless.

Next, we said vows that meant something beyond just lip service for a great ceremony. Those vows sprang to life in our hearts & minds the moment they were uttered before God and the 200+ people at our wedding. It was sealed. Unfortunately, a man's word is no longer considered his bond. But for us, we took it seriously and meant every word even if we were completely unaware of what life would bring or where it would take us. Priceless.

Aside from being loved and supported by our great parents and other family and friends, we also take time daily to spend time with God in sweet communion with Him. It's not always lengthy or as eloquent as we hope, but He hears our voices lifted to Him often. At times, we crumble before Him in doubt or fear and gush our human weaknesses to Him unsure of what to do. Other times, we get to leap for joy and dance or sing because of our gratitude for how He's conquered or provided. Okay, maybe Monte doesn't dance. But you get my point. We take time to remember the sweeter relationship we have high above our marriage to each other. Priceless

We can also talk to each other when things are gloriously blissful or tense. I was very fortunate to marry a man who rarely yells. That was kind of foreign to me when we first got married. I was glad, but I would still yell at times of anger. Slowly, it faded and my raised voice is now typically reserved for immediate interventions with the children for important reasons like safety or to stopping one from trying to drink from the toilet. This leads us to be on the same page most of the time, which contributes to a smoother flow in our family. Communicating regularly, that habit, is so vital to thrive in marriage. Even the seemingly insignificant stuff matters. We've also made certain things routine to afford us some quiet time in the evenings together like a 7:30 bedtime for our boys. No questions or changes unless we have some event that keeps us out. And it used to be 7! But this ensures we get a date night every night if we want. Or quiet time for each of us individually. Priceless.

All other stuff, circumstances, stressors, and so forth comes after our priority to our commitment to our marriage. And we protect this union like our lives depended on it! Because after all, it is priceless.