My sweet husband and I celebrated 12 years of marriage this past Sunday. They have been 12 years marked with joy and happiness, but there have been plenty of bumps along the way, also. We would both do it again without hesitation and knowing what we know now would save each other many unnecessary heartbreaks along the way. Looking back there is something beautiful about learning with each other and holding each other up when one is not able to own their own stand tall. In all the learning there come seasons of life, seasons of feast and seasons of what seems to be famine.
We are in a new season of our marriage one with freedom (no small children under foot, we were pregnant at 5 months of marriage) we have never known. It is a season with great excitement and renewal. As I have reflected on our anniversary this week I have longed for a way to mark the occasion (we decided not to do gifts this year) when I read Ann Voskamp post today (go read it now or the rest of this will make no sense, it is long but each word has great importance, read them all)
I have decided to give my husband this box tonight as our anniversary gift.
This dirty sad little suitcase is one from my childhood, I have the entire set.
I love that our box is something with a history and represents my life and the experiences that have made me the person I am.
So, I started cleaning the box, as I scrubbed away the dirt and grime from the box, God was scrubbing away the ugly baggage I brought into my marriage.
Tonight this box represents this new season in our lives.
A season where yes has new meaning and love will grow strong.
I hope you were inspired by Ann's words. I read her work often, she has a way with words that softens my hard heart and helps me look at life in a new way.
I hope you and your husband plan a trip for the future.
Cha Cha
