My Valentine

My heart is full to bursting with love for Chloe, Clive and Solomon. But, obviously my dear Matt is my #1 sweetheart.  I say *obviously* but with the way I write on this blog, sometimes it isn't very obvious.  What's obvious is that my kids are a huge part of my life and I love them tremendously. And oh yeah, I love my husband too.

That last comment was tongue-in-cheek but it's largely true.  Now that we've added three littles to our family, it's increasingly difficult to make my hubby the primary earthly object of my affection.  I often find that in giving, loving, and serving my children I have almost nothing left to give to my sweet husband at the day's end. 

When I said "I do" to Matt eight years ago, I was giddy and full of magical lovey-dovey butterflies flitting frantically in me.  Neither of us had any clue that this marriage journey would be difficult in the slightest.  Difficult?  Are you kidding me?  The thought never entered my mind.  Sure, other people's marriages might be rough but not ours.

But I'm learning that keeping a marriage unified is a serious battle.  SERIOUS.  It's hard.  Harder than anything I've ever known.  Harder even than parenting I think.  Hard because we are being pulled away from each other from every side.  The world's ideas of marriage come bombarding, other people and activities threaten to suck our time and energies, our own tendencies to settle into our separate roles without crossing paths, and our overarching selfishness threatens to destroy us. 

Andrew Peterson says the same lyrically in the song below, "Dancing in the Minefields".  (Warning: This video is seriously touching.  If you're one to shed tears at hallmark commercials you will probably need a tissue.)




I thought it'd be fun to share how Matt and I met.  After being introduced by mutual friends, Matt kept thinking and wondering about me.  Since he taught at my alma mater, he'd visit the alumni lounge and look up my photo in the old college yearbooks to remember me.  Later that year we were both at a friend's house for a small dinner party. I was floored by Matt's depth -- both of faith and intellect.  I remember so clearly as someone posed the question to the group, "What is true beauty?"  Matt eloquently, sincerely and humbly spoke about true beauty being aligned with God's likeness.  I was moved and my heart was aflutter!  We continued to meet weekly with our friends for dinner and then afterwards we all went to swing dancing lessons.  Yes, MY HUSBAND went swing dancing.  Crazy what one will do when in love, isn't it?  Soon Matt was attending my church, taking me to dinner and calling me.  But I still wasn't sure about this guy.  It wasn't until a certain Sunday morning that I knew he was the guy for me.  His folks were in town so he brought them to my church.  I was already seated at the organ to play for the service and I saw him walk in and almost did a double-take.  He had shaved (prior to this he had a full beard) and I was struck by his handsomeness.  And the rest is history!  :)

I'm so thankful that on this Valentine's Day, I don't have to worry about Matt's love floating away to land on another. We are dancing this life together and striving to keep unified with the help of God.  There's just no possible way we could keep together without God's grace!   And this love is so much more than fluttery feelings.  It's active, persevering, purposeful, and committed.   

Now it's your turn . . . How'd you meet your Valentine?

Together

Matt and I just celebrated our eighth anniversary. Eight years already?!?

In some respects it seems as though it's only been a few months. The last eight years have passed by super quickly. In other ways it's as though we've been together forever. And I mean that in a good way. :) Living life together with Matt is natural and easy and good for me. He sharpens me, challenges me and complements me. We're opposites in lots of ways and while that sometimes brings conflict it also brings balance to our crazy home.

And don't get me started on what an amazing and involved dad he is.

If we were on a dance floor, this is the song I'd pick for us.

I love you, Matthew Clive Horn.