Nine years ago, I walked down the aisle to become Mrs. Gray.
Some days it seems like it’s been a lifetime, and others it seems like it’s been a blink. No matter how long it’s been, there is no one I’d rather spend my days with.
I’d like to think I’ve learned a few things in the past nine years:
1. Marry the kind of man whose friends would work 100+ hours, secretly get measured for a tux, and travel across the country to surprise you for the wedding. If your husband is the kind of friend someone would do that for, imagine the husband he’ll be. (Thanks for being there, Uncle Clay!)
2. Surround yourself with people who are for your marriage. Your girl friends, your couple friends, your family, everyone you come into contact with. If they’re not for your marriage, limit their access.
3. Make date night a priority. We have technically always done this. We enjoy spending time together. However, when we became intentional about treating date nights as date nights, there was a definite shift in our marriage. We went from grabbing dinner to going on a date, and it was all roses and sugarplums from there!
4. When your husband is leading you toward Christ, follow. Even if you don’t get it yet. Even if you don’t like where he’s going. If he is in Christ, and he is following where he has been led, follow.
5. Dance with each other. In the living room, on the porch, out cuttin’ a rug, where ever. Dance. Have a little fun!
6. Just because your husband lets you have first pick of everything doesn’t always mean you have to take it. Watch his movie sometimes, eat at his favorite restaurant on occasion, don’t give him your hand-me-down iPhone every time, those kinds of things.
7. Hunger is not an excuse to be mean. Your blood sugar might be reaching dangerously low levels, but he’s probably trying to get you to some food–eventually. Hang in there.
8. Marry someone who doesn’t count your shoes. Granted, I mean this less in the literal sense and more figurative, but really, Mr. Gray shouldn’t count my shoes. Work together on your finances. Set up realistic spending plans and then work together to reach your finance goals. Don’t second guess each other and break trust here. Finances are huge–they make or break couples. Do them together, not against each other and definitely not in secret.
9. Enjoy each other. Find joy in the little things. Remember why you liked each other to begin with. Ask questions, dream about the future, go for a walk. Just take it all in.
Mr. Gray, thanks for choosing me. I’m so grateful I get to do life with you. Here’s to 99 more!
All of the things you list as things learned in your marriage are so true! Happy Anniversary and may you have many more happy years together. We'll be celebrating 39 years of marriage this summer.
Hey, we got married on the same day! That's fun. 🙂 Hope y'all had a wonderful day celebrating.