Valengageaversary Week

Mel and Baby Julia, 1 day old, 2/5/13

Brand New Love is so sweet. 

Whether it's a new marriage or a new baby, the fresh effortlessness of it is magical.

But as we celebrate our 7th Valentines day together (the first being 3 days after we were engaged), we are learning that true Love becomes sweeter over time-- through living out the mundane with intentionality, walking through trials on the same team, and with the hard work of investing in one another. Dave and I could not be more different in the ways we function-- physically, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually. It's a miracle that we're able to have a conversation, let alone stay in love. 

Last weekend we had the privilege of going to a marriage conference to kick off our week of Valengageaversary celebration.  One of the first things that was said was, "Romance is not the cause, but the result, of a good marriage." And the rest of the conference went deep into the ways a good marriage is achieved and maintained.

 Turns out it's actually pretty simple. 

But, as it doesn't take to long to discover, not easy.

We've spent the rest of this week discussing ways we can improve upon the foundation we've been building for the rest of our lives.  And that in and of itself takes time, effort and determination. Communication can be the barrier or the gateway to growth and change. And even though we've technically known each other for 11 years, because we are SO different, it can still be difficult to engage, explain, understand and truly hear each other at times. 

(There's a reason we didn't get together for 3 years)

I thank God for giving me someone so committed to working through the tough times and being willing to continue working on things through the mundane as well. He is so humble, so patient, and so kind. And if I remember correctly, 

those are some of the primary attributes of LOVE. 

i'm one lucky girl.

A surprise dinner for our Engageaversary (2/11/13)

AND a clean room.

oh...and kids locked in the bedroom with a movie.

Speaking of kids...

 I am learning so much through the sweetness of the LOVE of children... Who have their own way of loving, doing, feeling, believing, responding, and just about everything differently than you think they will.
MY idea of cutting out the first initial of each classmate's name using our alphabet cookie cutters was GENIUS.  at least in MY mind.
C preferred we stick to hearts.
Ok. Fine. But the hearts looked a little empty. So we added candies. He was cool with that.
Then they looked a little lost in the bag, and it was too late to go buy tacky kiddie valentines. So I asked Dave to print out some cute little tags. . .

look great, right? Team effort. Done and ready to go... 

Until the next morning, after a leisurely breakfast of hearts and whipped cream...

 ...when my creative, thoughtful, self-willed Lefty decided he wanted to make his OWN valentine cards for each of his friends.  It was 8:15am.
I suggested little cards.
He wanted big.

and i guess he knew what he was doing. B/c his writing DOES tend to be pretty BIG. 

And yet I was super impressed with how quickly and cheerfully he completed them. 

Great writing, spelling, and spacing practice. 

And OH SO CUTE.

He even did pretty well drawing hearts, which made my girlish heart skip a beat :).

After an exciting Valentine Party at school, we went to Gramsy/Poppy's for a little bash of our own...

Of course it was like walking into Candyland...

complete with overly generous grandparents of all shapes and sizes...

... and beary special friends.

Then back home to watch another movie in the other room, so Mommy could throw another romantic table together for her main squeeze...

... and what a Catch he is!!

(yes, i stole some napkins from Candyland)