We lingered on a deck half a world away.
We discussed facts and faith and future happenings.
We named hypothetical babies.
We planned careers.
We imagined limitless paths.
We mapped life.
We left out clutter.
We omitted stuff.
We never said, “We definitely need a car that seats eight and a house on two acres and a Wii and a zillion outdated VHS tapes and every CD that group ever made.”
But somehow we ended up with all the above.
I think back to what we desired a week into marriage: hope, adventure, crazy-big dreams, spaghetti dinners five nights of week, loads of laughter, a space of our own, kisses at every red light, and grace.
Let me find a way to slow the dizzying pace of life and remember simple dreams.
Do you remember your first-year-of-marriage dreams? What were they? How have your dreams changed?
*Linking up with Cheryl.
16 comments:
What a great way to put our current pace and cargo into perspective. This will be a conversation starter for me and Rick on the date night we have planned for Sunday night. Thanks, Amy!
Kim,
We have a date night planned for this Sunday too!
I remember dreaming of financial security :) It's been replaced by security in Jesus. Good times :)
What a perfect reminder! I'm exhaling more confidently knowing clutter isn't part of the priority. And since it's not, what does that say about what receives most of my time...
Peter and I have been married for five years. Our first week was spent in two ways. The first part, entertaining far away family and helping our children adjust to the blending. The second part of the week led us to Aruba, where we talked, played and laughed, ate well, read, danced (in a dance contest), dreamed, and delighted in each other.
Thank you nudging the memory.
Favorite part, "kisses at every red light." I think I might adopt that as a new policy. Beautiful pic, and I'm going to go ahead and take at least a little credit for your blissful union if that's okay :)
it is amazing how things do change, dreams get lost, priorities different, circumstances persuade...I think in the end though as long as you look to Him then those things become ok even if they aren't the same as what was invisioned. But, it is fun to look back at what those thoughts were like.
oh! I love this! well, you know we first found out about Hungary a few months into our first year...I had dreamed so much earlier in life and had them all smashed, so the dreamer was at bay for a while while I grieved mom and lived firmly planted on the ground...
i remember having enough of a dream when we did our wedding registry to know, after feeling forced into registering for china, that we didn't want stuff like this (in case) we moved overseas, so I took it off days later...so I know that openness to 'wherever' was there always.
Last weekend during the conference I exclaimed to my friend, 'I CAN'T IMAGINE DOING ANYTHING ELSE WITH OUR LIVES!' It's hard to describe, but I think you get what a gift that is...if I would want to be about anything in writing/speaking/blog/life, it would be challenging, inspiring others to pursue life in Him in such a way that heart laid bare before Him we can say just this...this is what I am meant for...Heaven come down!
you know, i'll say, well, resurrect those dreams girl! start shedding (you have) and see how He will lead...He's looking for open hearts for many things:) I can name a few:)
I love this, and Kim's idea to make it a date-night conversation starter. We dreamed about having a home, starting a family, successful careers, fabulous vacations, and maybe a little bit of focus on serving others. Our priorities have changed, and the happiness level is even higher than I could have imagined. The stuff/clutter does not matter, after all. Thanks for this great perspective.
I love this so much! I am still in my first year of marriage, I found your blog through Graceful and wanted to follow!
Our first year of marriage has been so rough, with so many priorities changing. We thought we would have our own place, we thought we would be living together, but instead we have a roommate, and are about to be long distance starting in the fall!
Its crazy, but there are many things that we have not changed, and that is date nights once a month, and cooking together for at least 5 meals out of the week, finding a church home in LA.
Yet our biggest dreams are finishing medical school for me, and him finishing his PhD and we are still going to do whatever it takes to accomplish those goals, but we are learning that it is ok to take a break. We had plans as single people, and we have learned that as a married couple the plans may change and we simply need to Trust Him to show us the way.
Amy, I so enjoyed this post. Your writing enthralls me, and I found myself thinking back to my former days of youthful marriage when anything seemed possible.
Unfortunately, my dreams died when my former husband's addiction destroyed our ministry and marriage. I had to rebuilt from the bottom up. God is good and my current life is filled with His peace and promise.
This last year I dared to start another blog that tells my story. http://ontatteredwings.wordpress.com features the theme of "Learning to fly again when life clips your wings." I figure perhaps others can benefit from my survival story.
Beautiful writing! I love the way you challenge others to think! :)
Wow, you make a really, really good point, Amy. You always nail it so succinctly, too!
Our first few months of marriage, we walked, or rode the city bus and did not miss not having a car. We borrowed a car to move from our small studio to a one bedroom apartment, and packed everything into the trunk and back seat. WOW, since then we need to definitely de-clutter. Good memories and keep up the kisses!!
Love this post!
It's so funny how that happens! Love it.
oh, this is such a precious post. i wish i had been journaling or blogging when i got married. i used to be so diligent with my journaling... and have let it slide the last several years. what i wouldn't give to go back and actually see in print what my thoughts and dreams were during my engagement and newlywed season. though not that long ago, it's already so hard to remember....... *sigh*
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