For the Love of............

They say that when you marry, you marry everyone. This includes kids, mother-in-law, ex-spouses, etc. I was fortunate this time around, in that, I inherited a great mother-in-law. She has been a teacher, mentor and a mom (in the absence of my own mom).

So this morning, Wednesday, when Martin loomed over me to say goodbye (he was leaving town again for business) and asked if I wanted to do coffee with him I quickly said yes. Even though I didn't get to bed until 1:20am and it was 6:30am, I said yes.

Why? Well, because he's very important to me. Because I love him. Because I want him to know that he is a priority in my life. Because I want him to know he is loved. Isn't that one of the primary goals in being married to ensure the spouse knows and feels loved thereby fostering confidence?

Sure, I could have said no, have a safe flight (which I always do anyways) and talk to you this evening. What message would that have sent? Isn't a true sign of loving someone, that you put them first? I think--no, I know it is. And when you do that the rewards that come back to you are ten fold.

Look at this picture. See the big grin on his face? You can't look at a picture of the two of us without seeing that big grin. What does this tell you? That I'm doing something right. That he does feel loved by me and that I'm going down the right path.

I was told by my mother-in-law years ago, that her sister Dorothy told her one time that Martin was truly happy. How do you know that she asked. If you look at the pictures taken of him and Barb he's smiling in all of them. Smiling with his whole heart.

That was a big compliment and one I will accept.

When Martin and I went to Chicago for business, we took a walk down to the wharf. We were sitting there on a bench and a couple approached us and asked if we were honeymooners. We laughed and said no, we've been married 4 years but it still feels that way.

On another occasion, we were in Caribou (back in the day) and one of the workers there said if she could have a marriage like ours, she would feel blessed.

I am truly blessed to be walking beside this man. He is intense, analytical to the heavens, frustrating more than I'd like (so am I), but he's mine and I love him. And I know he loves me because: every night he comes home, every day he tells me he loves me, and because he usually puts me and my wants/desires first.

They say the third time is the charm. I'm not boasting about the number of times I've been married. But honestly, if I hadn't taken the path I did, I wouldn't have what I have. A man that loves me, a dog that loves me unconditionally, and a tribe of daughters that make me proud.

Thank you God