On the week of our 16th wedding anniversary, I have been thinking a lot about expiration dates. Does that sound scary? Trust me. There is no need to panic.
In fact, I think about all of the things that our marriage has witnessed in 16 years. We have lived in 5 homes in 4 different cities. We have gone through six different vehicles. We have replaced appliances, silverware, plates, sheets, dishcloths, electronics, and countless batteries. We have remodeled a kitchen and a bathroom, replaced a roof, put in a new heat pump, and cut down numerous dying trees in our yard.
We raised a child through her fourth year and watched her die. It seemed like a lifetime, yet it was far too short.
Many things in our lives come with expiration dates. Some have warranties included. I admit that I frequently get suckered into purchasing the extended warranty for my appliances and higher end electronics. There is always the question of, "What if?" Sometimes, it has actually worked in our favor.
When we buy an item, especially one that requires significant financial investment, we tend to do research. We check Consumer Reports. We take a test drive. We ask our friends for recommendations and opinions. We get quotes and bids from multiple sources. If you're spending $25 on a new blender, it might not be such a big deal but spending $25K on a new car is a different story.
So it is with our marriage. Unfortunately, marriage doesn't come with a warranty of any kind. We can do our research. We can test drive the product (so to speak). In the end, though, we make a decision to commit to another person based on a number of factors. And we hope we're right. There are so many unforeseen factors in what can make or break a relationship. Sometimes I don't know if it's luck or strategy. I am sure it is a little of both.
We live in a very disposable world where products aren't designed to last forever. Regular maintenance can extend the life of some things. That's why we take our cars in for oil changes and tune-ups. That's why we polish our furniture and paint the fence. We can ostensibly maintain their value and reduce the need for replacement.
So it is with our marriage. It takes work. We grow. We make mistakes. We evolve as individuals and also as a couple. We learn that taking time for our relationship, through date nights or breaks, time together or time apart, is essential to our happiness.
At lunch on Monday, I received this fortune cookie. It seems timely considering all that is going on in our lives right now. I have told many people that the adoption process brings just as much excitement as it brings anxiety. There is so much unknown and so much to look forward to.
I am grateful for 16 years of marriage with Roger and look forward to the next steps in our future. No extended warranty required.
We raised a child through her fourth year and watched her die. It seemed like a lifetime, yet it was far too short.
Many things in our lives come with expiration dates. Some have warranties included. I admit that I frequently get suckered into purchasing the extended warranty for my appliances and higher end electronics. There is always the question of, "What if?" Sometimes, it has actually worked in our favor.
When we buy an item, especially one that requires significant financial investment, we tend to do research. We check Consumer Reports. We take a test drive. We ask our friends for recommendations and opinions. We get quotes and bids from multiple sources. If you're spending $25 on a new blender, it might not be such a big deal but spending $25K on a new car is a different story.
So it is with our marriage. Unfortunately, marriage doesn't come with a warranty of any kind. We can do our research. We can test drive the product (so to speak). In the end, though, we make a decision to commit to another person based on a number of factors. And we hope we're right. There are so many unforeseen factors in what can make or break a relationship. Sometimes I don't know if it's luck or strategy. I am sure it is a little of both.
We live in a very disposable world where products aren't designed to last forever. Regular maintenance can extend the life of some things. That's why we take our cars in for oil changes and tune-ups. That's why we polish our furniture and paint the fence. We can ostensibly maintain their value and reduce the need for replacement.
So it is with our marriage. It takes work. We grow. We make mistakes. We evolve as individuals and also as a couple. We learn that taking time for our relationship, through date nights or breaks, time together or time apart, is essential to our happiness.
At lunch on Monday, I received this fortune cookie. It seems timely considering all that is going on in our lives right now. I have told many people that the adoption process brings just as much excitement as it brings anxiety. There is so much unknown and so much to look forward to. I am grateful for 16 years of marriage with Roger and look forward to the next steps in our future. No extended warranty required.