You don't complete me

YOU'RE AN OLD PRO at parenting and marriage.  You’ve been doing this for a while now.  But some things still escape you – and of course I love to smirk and remind you of them…

Dean: (Walking in to see Adrian and I talking).  Hey, did you tell him about                        the surprise we were planning for him?”

Me:  No… Then it wouldn’t be a surprise.

Adrian:  What surprise? 

Dean:  Never mind

Dean: (Sitting down at the dinner table with all the kids).  Hey, did you tell                   the kids Madison is coming home tomorrow for a visit?

Me:  No, she asked us to keep it a surprise.

Kids:  When is Madison coming?

Dean:  Never mind

Dean:  (Looking up from his iPad at all the kids).  Hey, boys, did you want                              to stay up late for a movie and popcorn?

Me:  It’s a school night.

Dean:  Well how about we run up and have popcorn and a short movie real                               quick as soon as the girls are in bed.

Me:  The girls can hear you.

Bronwyn & Emersyn:  Wahhhhhhh!

Dean:  Never mind.

Me:  I’ve just been so overwhelmed lately.  Projects at the church, and                      schooling the kids, and the girls’ medical appointments, and this                     house, and meal prepping…

Dean:  Hey, can we invite some people over for a BBQ?

Me: You can.  I’ll be away that day.

Dean:  Never mind.

And so we laugh.  Often at each other.  Mostly at you. 

You’re tough.  Or oblivious.  But whatever – you can take it.

Of course, I can laugh at myself too - but I'm not as funny.

23 Years ago, you probably had no idea when you fell for me, that I was born missing that protective layer most people come with.   

Two decades and three years of real life have changed me.  I can’t seem to grow callous and used to the hard knocks of reality. 

It’s not any one thing;

it’s the collection of moments that bruise and scrape. 

And I decide to heal, but the process takes so long! 

And it’s changed me.  Drained me.  Made me a little kinder to those who need kindness, and a lot less patient with those who are unkind.   

But you remind me of what’s True and Right and Pure. 

When we are weak, then He is strong.

The years have changed you too.  You’ve gotten steadier.  More patient.  You’ve waited it out when I wasn’t sure there was an end to a hard situation.  And you were right. 

You haven’t been quick to blame me -  

only carefully questioned why the brick flower bed edging, or plastic water gutter or firepit stones are broken, shredded and displaced. 

I said “I had a rough day on the lawn tractor.”   

A younger you would have given me some suggestions.   

Last week, you wisely let it go.

You don't complete me (Jesus already did that).  But two are better than one, because if one falls down, the other can lift him (her) up.  

   

Our marriage and family are beautiful because of you (and Jesus of course. But He already knew that.)

Happy Anniversary!