Thursday, December 18, 2008

Two Halves Make a Whole

I met my wife 26 1/2 years ago this past Sunday - June 14, 1982. I was 16; she was 15. I felt that she was my "split-apart" within two days of meeting her - and that was something I never expected or believed could happen. It was exactly like re-establishing a relationship with a best friend you haven't seen for years. I knew within a week that I would marry her - no doubts whatsoever. Once she turned 16, I never dated anyone else. We were engaged prior to my mission and her senior year in high school - and I mean a real engagement with an actual engagement ring. We married less than 2 months after I returned from Japan - 22 years ago today.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, BABE!

We have never fought - truly fought; we have never yelled at each other; we have disagreed and had to work through disappointment and hurt feelings, but there hasn't been one moment in the last 22 years when I questioned whether or not we would be together forever - whether or not I wanted to stay with her - whether or not our marriage was the right decision.

Literally, she is the half that makes me whole. We the heaven I aspire to achieve.

I posted something months ago - one of the first posts on my then new blog. If you want to read the entire thing, here is the link. (Sleep is Over-Rated) The most relevant paragraph for this thread is the following:

Eternal marriage and family mean just a little more to me at this moment, since I have caught a tiny glimpse of isolated immortality, living as half the whole she and I are meant to be. If I can’t handle each night we are apart, I can’t fathom living endlessly without her – feeling alone in a vast cosmos – sleeping in a great and spacious hotel – forever, fitfully alone. I want to live on with my arm around her – in a universe surrounded by our children – even if that means I only get a little edge of it as my own and never get enough sleep.

7 comments:

Kalola said...

Happy Anniversary! Wishing you and your wife all the best today and every day.

Christy said...

You two have an amazing relationship, as I "see" it on your blogs. Your love and respect for one another is inspiring - your children are very blessed. Happy Anniversary.

Jami said...

Happy Belated Anniversary. Hope this year is the best so far.

Anonymous said...

Dear both-it may be difficult for you to conceive of what a shining light you and your attitudes can be ,and have been to me,as the child of parents who both divorced twice.Attitudes and approaches that are ordinary to you as breathing can be a revelation to others such as myself.Please keep sharing.

Papa D said...

Thank you, everyone. I know how blessed I am to have found my eternal companion so early, but sometimes it is easy to forget how different mine and Mama's relationship is than many, and it is nice to be reminded of that - not in any condescending way, but simply as a remembrance of God's grace in our lives.

Rob and Crys said...

Happy Anniversary! I still remember the RS activity where the two of you where part of the Newlywed type game and your obvious affection for each other! Here's to another 22 years and more for you!

Mama D said...

Thanks from me to all of you! But especially to you, Anonymous. Perspective... It is so easy to take for granted what I have. Thanks for the reminder to express my gratitude on a conscious and regular basis. May you be able to recognize the good (even among the apparent bad) in the examples you describe and break the cycle so the next generation may develop some of these attitudes you desire.