Lu and I are celebrating 10 months of marriage today!

While this is a happy occasion for us, more than one person has said, "Wow. You really count months of marriage? That's... cute."

I'm never quite sure how to react to this response. No, we haven't been together for any major milestones, however I personally think every month, every week, and even every day that you spend with the person you love is something to celebrate.



Who doesn't love sharing dessert?

Nonetheless, expressing love is apparently not normal -- or only normal in a certain context: Just started a relationship? Snuggling is totally acceptable. Just got engaged? Walking arm in arm makes sense. Newlyweds? Of course you can kiss in public. Been together for more than 35 years?! Then you can do whatever the heck you want!


But what about the people who are happy in their relationships just because they're happy in their relationships? What's our "excuse" for minor PDAs?

Lu and I are actually still this happy 10 months later -- without the car, the tux, or the dress.

Last week, one of my Facebook friends put up a status message about how he can't stand when couples sit on the same side of the booth at a restaurant because it "looks codependent."

... Over a dozen people liked this status message. Really?! When did people become so bitter that seeing others who look content - or God-forbid - genuinely enjoying time with their significant other bothers them?

One of his friends commented that she didn't care how it looked because between work and dealing with her kids, she didn't have the time to express her love for her husband the way she wants to. If all she can get is a few minutes of shoulder touching at a restaurant, then she's going to take advantage of it.

I totally sympathize with this point. Call us codependent or say that this is just the "newlywed phase," I make no apologies for any of the romantic things that I do.

If you don't think THIS is cute, please seek professional help.

This morning has been ROUGH! I almost forgot my lunch in the refrigerator at home. Then I broke out in hives while walking from the bus to work because of an allergic reaction to my socks (...really?!). Finally, safe at my desk, I just hit my funny bone and spilled hot tea on my shirt.

Normally, this would be my breaking point. I have a short temper and am a recovering potty mouth. I would stomp off to the bathroom to wring out my shirt, swearing at it and myself the entire time. I would angrily pour out the remainder of my tea, flop back in my chair, and spend the rest of the day daring any other thing to upset me -- websites taking too long to load, cold fries at lunch, a late bus this afternoon, Maggie not going to potty when I take her out. 

Yep, I am the queen of making a bad day worse.

Although that first has been powerful on its own, my eyes drifted up a few lines this morning to verses 19-21: "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Whoa, now I can focus on being kind and gentle all I want, but does that really matter if the occasional "fit of rage" slips in?

Sooo this morning, I thanked God that I was able to get my lunch and still catch the bus, that there is a CVS near work where I could buy Benadryl to help with my itching, and finally that I wore a camisole under my shirt and keep a sweater in the closet to change into until my shirt dries. Life really isn't as much about what happens to us as how we respond to it.

Last week, Lu and I literally saw a cloud with a silver lining. Despite the large, gloomy mass of the cloud, our eyes were immediately drawn to that thin, glowing strip of light peeking out from underneath. Can you imagine what life would be like if it were that easy to look at our own silver lining?



It sounds cheesy, I know. And of course, everyone has a right to their own feelings. However, I've wasted more hours than I want to count being angry, rude, or feeling just plain wronged. Nothing good has ever come out of those moments. When I even think of how many hours I've basically lost to anger or stress when I could have just acknowleged those feelings and moved on, it's literally sickening.... To end with another cliche, I've decided to make an active effort to let go, and let God.