Josh and I have been married for ten years and here's the truth, this last year has been the hardest one. I've learned that what seems so strong is actually quite fragile just beneath the surface and like all things, takes intention, respect, time, and the forever leaning in and loving.
Nothing significant happened, we don't have a big story of what went wrong, just the slow quiet tension that builds in the unknowing dark when the world you build is suddenly shaken up. The forced resettling of Josh working from home, the kids being home and me having to teach them, a toddler, me working, ayai! As you know, it's hard to really reflect on what's happening when you're in the middle of the whirlwind. But now that there's a better grasp of the virus and the kid's lives are lived outside of our walls again, there's a second to take a breath and turn my eyes to my husband. And to us.
A while back our neighbor trimmed all of her weeds and suddenly the space between our homes was very open and very stark. I looked at a handful of pictures on pinterest and had the grand idea that bamboo was the answer! So Josh, in his ways, researched bamboo. Did you know there are over 1,000 species of bamboo? He narrowed the search, found a place in OC that sold that variety, measured, bought it, hired a guy to dig a hole, planted them, and watered them every day on his lunch break for months until he could install a drip line. All because I had an idea.
And of course, under his attentive care, the bamboo is flourishing.
Every time I look out our windows, I am reminded of Josh's deep love for me. His commitment to us. This whole house really is my reminder of the lengths he'll go for us.
And just yesterday, he was telling me that there are new shoots coming up. That's what happens when you nurture something isn't it?
So this tenth year is my reminder to not take the gift I have been given for granted and to nurture my marriage with intention and respect.
Songs of Solomon is such an intimate book in the bible, often cringe worthy, but I was reading it the other day and I was so struck by the intimacy and adoration. This is how intimate we should be with the Lord and how connected we should be with our spouse. And this verse, I can't get it out of my head. For my husband and also for my Lord.
"Who is that coming up from the wilderness, leaning on the one she loves." Songs of Solomon 8:5
