My husband.

I haven't written about my husband in a while, and I figured it was time!  Lately, I have been reminiscing and thinking back upon our years together.  Our story began 8 years ago on July 3, 2004.  Our paths crossed at a roundabout in Ireland when I was there on a mission trip in college, and that was just the beginning of our beautiful story!   I just knew that I had met a man that rocked my world!  He just got me...every single bit of me, and our summer together was truly unforgettable.  But I also knew that he was Irish, I was American, and he LIVED in Ireland and I LIVED in America.  What kind of chance did we actually have?  It seemed like all the odds were against us!  But little did we know that God desired to unite us as husband and wife.

Over the past eight years, the Lord has sent us on a beautiful journey of faith, love and self discovery!  It has been such a blessing to walk alongside Peter over those years - to witness his growth into the man he is today!  And I hope and pray he has witnessed some growth of my own.

I love being married - I truly do!   Don't get me wrong - we have definitely had our ups and downs and we fight.  But we hold nothing back and I love that - there is so much freedom in our marriage and we fully accept the other person for who they are, while constantly challenging them and holding them accountable to who they desire to be.  We are constantly learning how BEST to communicate with each other - Peter doesn't do well when someone yells at him, hence I have stopped yelling!!  Took me awhile, but I eventually learned!  The man doesn't feel heard or respected when I cut him off and hoot and holler about something - I mean who would right?

Over the years, I have learned how to love him better, to stop keeping record of wrongs, to serve him selflessly (please note - I am a work in progress!!).  I have ceased complaining about the dishes in the sink and the clothes on the floor - it's not even worth it anymore. And I never wanted to be classified as the nagging wife, and let's be honest, he doesn't need another mom.  I have learned how to be a bit more patient - my husband finds it amusing to truly test my patience for when we have kids...he will make an obnoxious noise for an extended period of time and watch the clock to see how long it takes me to respond, he will let a cd skip for an extended period of time and wait to see how long it takes me to skip to the next song, he will ask loads of questions - one right after the other and see how long I can last before I start pulling my hair out, and the list could go on, but I'm sure you get the point.  And the funny thing is...these things don't drive me crazy, they simply make me laugh.

I truly thank God for sending me to Ireland, for bringing this AMAZING man into my life, for the deep, deep love I have for him, for the laughter and ultimately for the friendship.  I thank God for our shared faith, for our desire to know Him more, and for the way we hold each other accountable to who Christ has called us to be.

Last night, as my husband dozed off to sleep, I said a little prayer for him - I placed my hand on the small of his back and just praised God for him - for his strength, for his wisdom, for his spirit, for his faith, for his laughter, for his love....blah blah blah - I could obviously go on, but I don't want to bore you!  My life is better because he is in it and we truly owe everything - our love, our memories, our marriage - to Christ.

Thank you Jesus for the years Peter and I have had together!!  I hope and pray we have many, many more!  And for all those who are in relationships with others that they just aren't sure about...I would encourage you to start praying. Pray that God would reveal His desire for you and your relationship.  It might be scary, but trust me, it will be so worth it.  This I know!  I had a boyfriend the summer that I met Peter, and we had been dating for 2 years, and we proceeded to date for another year.  And I just started praying...and I had a dream that I shared with the then boyfriend, and it eventually led to some beautiful discussions and ultimately a breakup.  My heart hurt for a long while - I mean no one likes when a relationship ends - it's almost like the loss of a dream right?  The loss of what could have been...the loss of control -  and it's flat out scary.  But the one thing I learned from all of this was that I was never in control and Christ has the power to heal your heart so that you can love again...and love again I did!!

Before Peter and I even started dating, I remember telling one of my girl friends, "I'm going to marry that man!!"  I know it sounds so cliche, but when you know you just know...and those doubts aren't looming in the back of your head...wait for that...I promise you it will be worth it!!

And I just have to leave you with some of my favorite photos from the years...I mean who wouldn't love being married to this man?  Hopefully they make you smile!  Check out the upper right half stache photo - it's almost as if he is saying..."There you are.  I've been expecting you, what took you so long?"  Please note that photo was extremely posed and it was the only serious one I could get of him - the others involved him laughing hysterically!  Anyhow, you get the point - I love this man - we get each other.  I think he's funny, and he thinks I'm funny - it's that simple really?!

One more thing...when I came home tonight - music was playing, oven was preheating, salad was made.  And all I could do was smile and truly thank God once again for this man!

So tell me...who are you thankful for today?

xoxo, 

Malia