Ponderings on Love and Marriage

(Picture from night we got engaged- Valentines Day 2007)

Marriage is such a great blessing and in some ways a miracle. Like for example Jon and I and our likes, differences and journey together. If someone were to study our individual upbringing, family values, faith as a child, we are very similar in that way. We both come from strong Christian 2 parent homes, Dutch heritage, WI midwestern values. But its the differences between us that kind of make me chuckle and laugh on how God works to bring 2 people together.

Differences and Similarities in Our Marriage

Marriage is a miracle of taking 2 different people, sometimes very different and becoming one. Jon and I are exactly that. I am a morning person who wakes up excited ,and talkative about the morning, eating breakfast, having coffee and planning the day ahead. Jon wakes up tired and prefers to not talk for the first 30 minutes awake and like to stay up late. Jon is not a big talker on the phone or at dinners, I love to talk on the phone or out for dinner. Jon is adventerous, I am so very not. I love to read a good book, Jon hates reading. I love big cities, Jon loves the country. I love to travel to new places, Jon would rather go on vacations to the same 2 places every year for the rest of his life. We are both more introverted than extroverted but I enjoy social events with new people and Jon cringes at the thought. I would rather spend money on vacations, well Jon would rather spend on electronics. I like to be thrifty and cheap most of the time, Jon likes the finer brands and I am learning sometimes it is worth the money.

In common, we both love outdoors (camping, hiking,biking). We both love God and love helping other people. We both love our careers in public service and we both support each other that way which is so important in our marriage. I think we both have big giving hearts. We both value the same things in life like family, faith and education. We both love kids. Although we may have different personalities and likes in life, God has brought us together for a reason. We love each other so much and I cannot imagine my life without him. Marriage is truly a miracle of God's handiwork and I am so thankful for God's love, forgiveness and blessing on our marriage as we continually trust him and put him first every day.