Today, Mike and I celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary and have known one another for over 18 years.
This past weekend we were able to spend a big portion of our time with the youth ages 14-18 from our church. Admittedly, Mike was just coming back from being out of town, and prior to that the kids and I had just gotten back in town from our summer trip to Utah (more on that later), and there was part of us hoping for a quiet weekend. But the bigger part of us knew that spending time doing things that fulfill others ultimately fulfills and strengthens us and so we embraced it. Mike was there for the entire conference and was able to hang out and connect with a group of awesome youth. Funny enough, on his first night there, he looked across the room and recognized one of the youth from our Nebraska congregation! It turns out he and his brother were attending conference while in town visiting some family friends. What a small world!
I had been asked to help out with the planning, prep and serving of the food. My main meal was on Saturday afternoon and it was a "prep" meal for the etiquette dinner they were planning to have that night. It was a 5 course lunch - where the youth practiced and learned the ropes for the upcoming dinner. And while part of me had been hoping for an "easy" lunch like deli sandwiches, chips and a cookie, I learned a ton in the planning process of a five course meal, and was super grateful for all those who stepped in to help prep the food! We had salad, rolls, tomato soup (made from scratch by a dear friend who was happy to take on this task!), grilled cheese sandwiches, green beans and brownies. All of the food was meant to be practiced with proper cutting and handling of a fork, spoon and knife, and was meant to be simple. The trickiest part of the meal was that everything needed to be prepared ahead of time and kept warm. But, thanks to lots of great ideas from folks, a whole bunch of crockpots and prepping ahead of time, it went off without a hitch!
As we finished loading the car and I was leaving to pick up the kiddos (who'd been playing at a friends home while we were at the conference), Mike was headed back over to continue serving the capacity he'd been asked. And while I was tired and ready to head home, I couldn't help but pause with gratitude as I looked around.
I find if I am still and listen, nature - specifically trees - seem to speak with wisdom. The shapes, the sounds, the unique characteristics of each one connect to life in so many ways. I love how trees differ in the regions of the county we've been able to live. Since moving to South Florida, I find myself captivated by the big trees and wonder at what intense tropical storms and hurricanes they have survived. Oh the stories they must hold.
Which brings be back to the parking lot. As Mike was walking away, he was parallel to these beautiful Oaks. Moss and small plants growing throughout them, full of shade, and green with life. The parking lot was built around them in order for them to maintain their natural state and beauty. They stood so tall and clustered together in a way that clearly strengthened the whole. Standing under them, you could feel a noticeable temperature drop from the strong Florida summer sun, and the sound of the leaves as the coastal winds softly blew was calming for the whole soul.
In that moment I had a profound connection. So simple, yet it brought tears of gratitude and clarity to my eyes.
I soaked in the beauty of these oaks - the life they have seen pass around them, the strength of their roots to stand tall against the forces of winds, how they continually reached upward toward the light that strengthens them, how they give what they can to benefit the world around them, how their small and simple actions have compounded over time to represent lasting growth, how they are always growing but never seemed rushed and stand still with the present moment - and I saw Mike and our equal partnership in the same light.
Don't get me wrong. I am fully aware that Mike and I are not trees.
May our children know that the principles and wisdom in that moment reminded me of what we strive for in our marriage and commitment to one another - to lean into one another, to lean into and trust God and His plan beyond our own. This path has brought us much more strength and joy than ever trying to stand alone. We have felt the light of Christ strengthen our marriage in ways that simply could not have happened on our own. We are full of weaknesses, but know fully that together, with Christ, we are stronger. As we've embarked on challenges and unexpected changes that life brings - we've chosen to dig into our roots, to grow where were stand, and it's something we hope and strive to continue. To prioritize and focus on lasting growth and let go of what no longer serves us. To create space for learning and expanding our roots or branches. To mend what's broken. To connect and work together. May our children know that it's the small and simple actions where we grow and learn from the most.
Standing in the parking lot, and in the days since, I've felt an abundance of gratitude for walking this journey and adventure with Mike. It was no coincidence that a secretary to a men's college basketball coach and a basketball player would be brought together. Our journey together has been an adventure where we've strengthened our roots together as we've moved through four states, one foreign country and the times and seasons of four children in our home and countless other experiences. May our children remember that as we strive to focus on what matters most more than what matters much. And seeing the beauty of these trees gave me confidence that for Mike and I, our now small trees will continue to grow and expand in ways we've yet to imagine.
To an eternal abundance of learning and growth together - Happy Anniversary, hon.
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