4 Years Ago:

We were in our late 20s. We were the parents of two, a newly four year old and an almost four month old. We were still in a bit of credit card debt.
Ten days after the death of my father, we were ten years ago today attending his burial at Arlington National Cemetery, as was his wish.
We had spent the last year of our life helping my family care for my dad, and it was one of the most stressful years of our, to that point, 6 year marriage.
We were tired, but still full of love and hope.

Today:

We’re now in our early 30’s. We’re the parents of three, ages 7, 4 and 2. Bald Man is becoming more established in his career. I’m a homeschooling mom (never thought that would happen). We’re still learning and growing as parents, that is a constant!!! We’re finding it’s a bit harder to find date nights now with three kids to pawn off instead of one or two, though grandma and friends make sure that we do get it. We’re also out of credit card debt, and most other debt. It’s so fun watching that shrink.
Life, or marriage, is not a bowl of cherries, but not the pits either. It’s all the joy and growth that comes from the work and love that’s put into it. And it’s hard, but still so good.

4 Years From Now:

We’ll be in our mid-to-late 30s (still a couple of young things, thank you!). We’ll have an 11, 8, and 6 year old, and only 12 years from being potential empty-nesters (I’m not trying to rush it at all, but I am certainly looking forward to it. ). I’m sure we’ll be almost up to our eyeballs in sport or music or art lessons or something. Don’t know if I’ll still be a homeschooling mom, and can’t imagine what all I could do with that time!!! Quilting, reading, scrapbooking….here I come! Maybe some cleaning, too. I think Bald Man will still be playing soccer, that sexy thing. Though I’m also sure I’ll have to endure more whining about the aches and pains that follow.
I imagine we’ll have come through more trials and joys that will have shaped us ever more together. I’m hoping we’ll have also taken our kids out serving in our community and on a mission trip to a Children’s Refuge in Tijuana so that they can start their lives knowing how very privileged they are, and to see how much they can do to help others.

How has your marriage changed over the last few years? Do you look to the future years with hope and joy, or wondering if you can hang on for the ride?

photo credit: Crystl

Post from: Blisstree

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