January 18th: I am thankful for the man I married 30 years ago today and for the life we share.
My husband has an uncanny knack for finding parking spaces and greeting cards and today’s card sums it up perfectly — On the road of life it’s not where you go but who you’re with that makes the difference.
I met my husband at one of the many crossroads in my life – this one being a time when shedding my old self and stepping out of the shadow of my fear was critical for maintaining momentum and proving myself as an independent woman. It was in a Marketing class of an MBA program where I, overcome with a spontaneous and uncharacteristic desire to practice my leadership skills, volunteered to lead a project group. The assignment was to start a company. Hard work and fun, though maybe it was presented in the reverse order, is what I promised to anyone joining my company. The platform of the other leaders seemed so serious and stuffy and really, I didn’t know what else to say having made such a rash decision and no time to prepare. My husband was onboard immediately. The rest is history.
Thinking back on it, this shared belief that hard work and fun can co-exist has been one of the underlying threads of our marriage, as has the shared understanding that an independent identity is as important as a couple identity and that marriage is truly a partnership of equals based on both love and respect.
I’m sure if you asked, each of us would say it’s not been easy; but that which is worthwhile is often not meant to be easy. There is no richness of life in the definition of easy. My husband is my best friend, my lover, my partner, my protector and the person that stands with me in this life. I am grateful for all these things as well as his unconditional love and most importantly, his support of my constant striving to be my best self. I would not be the person I am today without his love and support. I can only hope that I have been a worthy companion on this road we share.
Happy Anniversary.
2 comments
A beautiful tribute. Here’s to 30 more wonderful years together!
I love this Lauran! What a wonderful tribute and so well written. Congratulations on 30 years!