a little bit of hope

I did it.  I found my first blog that I absolutely love.  It's called Today's Letters.  I found it while scrolling through Pinterest.  She, Em, had posted about 10 things that have made all the difference in marriage.  It was beautiful.  It was real. It was simple. Recently, I have felt like everywhere I turn I am surrounded by broken relationships.  Marriages that are failing.  Men who are leaving their families.  Unhappy couples.  Breakups. Wedding photos. Engagement rings,  or just conversations about marriage or why marriages fail.  It's everywhere and I can't escape it.  There was a point last week that I just couldn't take it anymore.  I was consumed with fear and doubts.  I had a breakdown.  It was hard to focus on the relationships around that were healthy and long lasting.  My grandparents just celebrated 50 years of marriage.  That's amazing! That should count for something.  It does count for something.  It counts for more than something.  But still I could only focus on the negative.  

I think back to a time when I was hanging out with one of my friends, Tori.  She is a sophomore in high school this year, and i love her.  Her parents are married, but while we were hanging out she told me that she was never getting married.  Of course my response was skeptical, and I just told her that when she gets older her thoughts about marriage would change.  She resisted my comment, and continued to explain why she would never get married. I remember she words exactly.  "No, I'm never getting married.  Marriage is so boring.  Half the marriages that happen don't last, and the other half just aren't fun.  Look at my parents.  They are not happy. Why would I want to be tied down to something that isn't fun and with someone who doesn't want to do fun things with me.  I want to go rock climbing and travel.  I want to go skydiving.  I want adventure.  When you get married, you can't do any of that. My parents aren't happy married, so i'd rather not get married and have fun and adventure."  Wow, did those words come out of the mouth of a high school student or a grown woman?  I mean she had a point, and she had tons of examples to back her opinion up.  Lately, through this time or doubt and fear, her words have seemed so much more truthful that I could ever imagine.  

Coming across this blog was truthfully, an answer to my prayers.  Em's words about the world and how she expresses her love for her husband is inspiring.  Although, Tori does have a point that marriage is boring, Today's Letters makes me excited about love.  It makes me excited about my relationship with Jeremy.  It restored my hope in marriage.  It shows me little things to be thankful for.  It shows me that marriage can and will be fun.  It eases my worry about change.  It makes me want to embrace all life has to offer.  If you are feeling the same way I was, or if you aren't and never have been worried about marriage still take a look at Today's Letters.  It's wonderful, and I am so thankful that I discovered this hope, joy, and love.  Enjoy :)