Long Distance Anniversary -- A Guest Post

If you are a regular to this blog, then you realize that we are spending our second anniversary in different countries. It’s not the ideal way to spend your second anniversary, but it’s not “bad” either. Wait, did he just say that? Yes. Now let me explain.

A lot of friends -- and even acquaintances -- have told us they really admired Alicia’s decision to go to Guatemala last year. And after she fell in love with her host family and the public special needs school, her decision to return this summer. While they admired it, they also asked, me mainly, how can you stand to be apart that long? Are you okay with letting her do this? Again? And this year, but you won’t even be around each other on your anniversary?!?!!

Yes, it can be hard (for me at least). And -- NO -- you cannot truly regain your “bachelorhood,” for one month out of the year, no matter how many times your friends tease you about it (or admire you for it?).

And that is the point of this post. I am glad we have had our times apart. Marriage, as most of us know, is A LOT OF HARD WORK -- all the time. And sometimes you quit seeing the forest for the trees. You get too caught up in the trials and tribulations of making it -- and trying to make it work -- from day-to-day that it’s easy to lose sight of WHY you committed yourself to this person; how wonderful, caring, insightful, and, yes, challenging (in a good way) she is. And most importantly how much you are better off because you met her and then somehow managed to convince her to marry you.

Absence reminds the married heart how truly lucky you are.

To the person who has taught me more about life, what is important, and myself than you realize: I love you. And I look forward to the opportunity to share a truly extended sojourn in that part of the world we have grown to love together!