Perfecting the Dance

In the beginning, we stepped on each others’ toes….a lot.

And while our technique’s still not perfect, I believe we’ve learned a little bit about marriage.

It’s the back and forth, the give and take, him leading while I follow.  It’s getting comfortable with the rhythms of life, anticipating how the other one will respond, and learning to overlook the little missteps.

How could I have known that nearly 25 years into married life I’d still mess up so often and say the wrong thing, that there would still be moments of my cringe-worthy selfishness tripping us up?

And who knew how much I’d admire him, wonder at his wisdom as we parent our teenagers, appreciate his leadership of our family, respect the depth of his character, which has never come into question.  It’s focusing on these things that smooths out our steps, brings us back into unity.

The dailiness of marriage isn’t always easy.  There’s baggage from the past and pride in the present; there’s “I know best” and nagging and disagreements.  But there’s also morning hugs and goodbye kisses and funny moments and shared hopes and dreams.  There’s someone to hold you through life losses and soul-rending heartaches and surgeries and illnesses.

So where did it all go right?  It was on that cloudy summer day, when I accepted my partner’s hand, we stepped out into married life, and our two hearts committed to finishing the dance together.

To my wonderful husband, an early Happy Valentine’s Day!  I love you!!