...For that I Thank You (Marriage Mondays)

Dearest Matthew,

If I have not told you lately, let me remind you, that you, my love, are the best thing that has ever happened to me.

The day that we became a couple, the world was transformed into a great big ball of happiness.

My life became more beautiful, and no, it is not cliché. It is a fact.

If anyone were to look back through the archives of my life, they would see that it has changed tremendously.

The sun shines a little brighter. The world seems a little nicer. The grass is a little greener. Music sounds a little sweeter. Smiles come a little easier. Days seem a little shorter.

At the end of each day, as we lay in bed, I never want to go to sleep, because I know that the next morning when I wake up you will be gone. Yes, you will only be at work, but I miss you!

You have been my best friend for three years now, and I cannot even tell you how much you have changed my life. Although, something tells me that you know, and yet, you say not a thing.

Instead, you continue to make me feel as if I am the one. As if I, have changed your life.

When you smile, I can hear the words you have shared with me many times. And I know, deep down to the depths of my soul, that you love me, still.  

When you hug me, I can feel your strength. When things get tough, for us, or our family, you just grin and bear it, for all of us. You hold me, as if you are trying to shield me from the world, and the truth is that you do.

When you touch me, I can feel the tenderness. Like, I am a valuable treasure that you handle with care, as not to break it. You remind me that I am worthy. I know that my words matters, my opinions count, my feelings take priority and my heart comes first.

When you come home from work, my day is complete. It does not matter what we are doing, where we are going, or what we have been through. All that matters is that at the end of the day we have each other.

That I have you. That you have me.

We make this marriage work.

But more than that.

This marriage has never felt like work. Not once.

I truly believe that our hearts were meant for each other.

I do not know what the future holds for us, but I know that
I have never been happier than I am at this very moment.

So for that,

I thank you.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Love,

Me

Project 31 - A Letter to YOU

Today I am writing a letter to

YOU

To the one who has been hurt

The one who is feeling

inadequate, incapable, fearful, and alone

The one who may feel like you are barely holding on

That nothing is as it seems

That your world is crashing down around you

I am writing to remind you

YOU are strong

Happiness is within your grasp

Hope is all you need

Just to Believe in Yourself

(1 Corinthians 1:24)

I promise that if you believe, everything else will follow

The ones that matter already believe in you

SO

Believe...

That you are loveable

That you are worthy

That you deserve the best

Know...

That you have a purpose

And that He has a plan

(Proverbs 16:9)

Ask...

Ask for what you want

Ask for what you think you need

(Matthew 7:7)

Trust...

Trust that His plans for you will be simply amazing!

You have a great big life ahead of you

Much to live for

Much to see

Much to enjoy

And happiness is just waiting for you to find it!

A big chunk of happiness is waiting for you

To scoop it up and put it in your cup!

He promises that your cup will overflow! 

You will get there...

~To that place~

Where nothing can shake your faith,

Because true contentment has found you

And the knowledge that even on the toughest days,

He is standing next to you!

(Deuteronomy 31:6)

You will understand that sometimes you will make choices that hurt you

And sometimes others will make choices that hurt you

And your life will change

But you will be okay

Because you have endured!

That life goes on!

That even with your faith,

You are going to have moments of weakness

And in those moments of weakness

You will find yourself weary, hurt and uncertain 

But that those moments pass

And one day,

You will look back on those moments of weakness

And realize just how small those moments were

And just how big YOU are!

(Philippians 4:13)

Letters to My Children

One of the greatest inventions ever...the camera! We get to capture moments that may never happen again. Moments that make us gasp, laugh, cry, pray and sometimes scream. The camera allows us to preserve our memories. We may forget, but photos never do. They are a reminder of what was.
Although, if I had to choose between my camera and my pen, I would gladly choose my pen! Images are beautiful, but words are what speak to my soul. The written word has made me fall in love, brought me to tears, caused me to laugh, helped me understand, has given me perspective, stimulated my mind, provoked anger, encouraged sympathy, developed passion, inspired motivation, taught me so much and yes, this long list goes on!
I love scrapbooking. I take pictures daily and save them for my children, but I also write them letters. Some of the letters, I have already given to them. Others, I save, because they are to be read by them, when they are much older. There is no standard form. I just write whatever I am feeling at the moment. Some of their letters were written during times that our family experienced change or on their birthdays describing the things that they currently love, say and do.
I plan to be around long enough to help plan the kid’s weddings, to cuddle with grandbabies even great grandbabies, I hope! However, just in case God has other plans for me, my words will always be there to remind them of my love.
I will post some of the letters to my children on occasion. Here are bits and pieces of the very first letter I wrote to Jocelyn 7 years ago, when I was still pregnant with her.

5/2003

Dear Jocelyn,

Oh, how I want to teach you so many things.

…………I want to teach you that it is important to create a relationship with God and keep it……Always remember that you have a family that adores you and a God that will never turn his back on you………..Remember to pray about everything. I know we have a tendency to pray only when things go wrong, but remember to pray and thank God for the good in your life too. Keep a bible next to your bed, on the kitchen table or even in the bathroom. Keep it someplace that you will see it every day to remind yourself what you should aspire to be……..Try to make friends that have the same values as you.....choose wisely......Do not judge people for their mistakes, love them, help them and learn from them……..Be an honest and kind person. Always think before you speak. Speak your opinion when necessary, but always do it with kindness…….I wish so much for you! Every night when I feel you kicking before I fall asleep I am so happy and yet so afraid. Will you adore me as much as I adore my mother? Will I be able to protect you from the world and still give you just enough freedom to find your true self? Will you get to experience a strong loving relationship by watching your parents as I did growing up?.........I simply adore you and so far all I have to hold is a blurry black and white picture that I hang on the fridge. I love you so much and all you can do it toss and turn in my belly, eat my left overs and hiccup occasionally. I cannot even imagine how much I will love you the moment you are placed into my arms.

Until Then,
Mommy