(In case you’re wondering about my hair in these pics, I dyed it brown for a few years. Gotta see how the other half lives!)

The Rest Is History

Throughout all of this, I feel that my husband and I have come out stronger and more united than ever from each of these experiences. I believe that love can survive nearly anything, as long as there is trust and communication. 

You have to wake up each day choosing to continue to love that person—despite any faults, differences, or life changes. Sure, there are days my husband and I disagree or even argue about something. Clearly, we’ve been through a few things. But in the end, we choose to continue to love the other and prioritize our communication to overcome the obstacles. To be honest, there have been many arguments that, once we’ve calmed down and communicated clearly rather than emotionally, we have realized that the argument never even should have happened. Maybe we were actually on the same side or misread the other’s reactions, but emotions flared up and got the better of us in the heat of the moment. 

Happily Ever After

Each morning that God grants us another day, we will continue to choose to love each other and work on improving our communication even more. In a very short time in the early years of our marriage, Lane and I became more than just husband and wife—we became best friends. Lane was, and still is, the first person I want to share news with, whether it’s good or bad. I still enjoy spending time with him, miss him when he’s away, and get butterflies when he says he’s on his way home from work. 

Clear, calm communication can break down so many barriers. Listen to each other (really let them speak uninterrupted, before you get your turn to do the same), be open-minded, never shut down their dreams (no matter how silly or unattainable you may think they are), create a safe space for each other, and choose each morning to continue to love that person. I have and will always wake up choosing to love Lane, and I have no doubt that he will do the same for me.

(Psst… Check out this fun little book that is full of ideas that you can do to show your spouse you love them. We really enjoyed it.)

(You can find “Choose to Love, part a” here.)