Still Not a Romantic

Have you ever thought about how much can change in a year. How much God can change you? This post I wrote on our anniversary last year is proof. I still totally wish I fit into my wedding dress. And I’m glad I’m not the girl in the dress anymore. Generally now, I am the girl in the sweats, and long sleeve black t-shirt.

Let’s face it, I’m never going to be a true romantic. All the flowers and rainbows stuff leaves me feeling like I’m going to throw up. But is a little romance so bad? Isn’t another year of marriage something to celebrate? Isn’t another day of marriage a gift?

I’ve come to realize that I hate feeling forced or obligated into romance. That’s why I have always rebelled against the “you must have a weekly date night” edict. When things are not too good or downright bad, it doesn’t seem that enticing to leave a little note for your spouse or sit up together and talk. But mostly it’s probably pride. I don’t need that stuff. I’m too strong of a person. That’s just a band aid for weak people. But really who doesn't need to know that they are the world to their spouse? And that they are more important than anything else in the world?

This year things are different. I can’t wait to celebrate our anniversary. Mike and I both came home with bags of goodies that we discreetly tucked away. I got confetti and balloons. We had plans to do some shopping. We got a babysitter lined up. We had lunch with another couple in church that has the same anniversary as us. They have been married 47 years.

We went to a Valentini’s. I’m not sure where this romantic streak came from. Maybe it’s because we came painfully close to destroying our marriage this year. How could we have gone so long without treasuring what God gave us in each other?

Now we do things differently. We leave notes for each other. We look forward to and fiercely protect time alone together. I think the key to being ready to celebrate and cherish the big moments is being able to celebrate and cherish each other in the every day, mundane moments - for four, fourteen or forty years. Every year is a victory. Every day is more proof of God’s gracious redemption in our lives. And even for this unromantic girl, that calls for a little romantic celebration.