I had noticed that my husband was feeling a little unappreciated as of late. We haven't been able to spend as much time together and I could tell that it was really starting to get to him...
I think one of the most difficult parts of a committed relationship is refusing to lose sight of one another, especially once children enter the picture. Things can get extremely chaotic: giving the children a lot of time and attention, taking care of the house/chores/cooking, working outside of the home, grocery shopping/going out for walks, financial worries, extended family problems -- then finally getting some quality time with your partner! 🎉
My husband and I will soon be approaching our 5th year anniversary, and thankfully we have been in the fortunate position to spend every day together with our children. Yet despite being together, there are still days where we aren't always present with each other.
This is what is meant by our circumstance can still be challenging to navigate. Some days one parent slacks, one takes on more of their share, words, tones, and actions are misinterpreted, forgetfulness is seen as intentional, we butt heads...
During moments like this, I desperately try to remind myself of the bigger picture. My husband and I loved each other so much that we wanted to express that love through union -- through our marriage, through our children. And now that love has transformed into purpose: to raise well-adjusted children with a strong moral compass, in spite of the adversity and corruption of the world.
So yesterday I finished up a poem, on the spot -- first and only copy! 🙏 and I read it to my husband last night. It is almost always a given that I will grow emotional over anything, but it takes a lot to get my husband's waterworks going! 😅 He tells me that he has only ever cried a handful of times in his entire life; it's just how he is as a person. But last night I saw the tears well up in his eyes...
I wanted to share the poem, there is nothing overtly personal about it or anything. It is not "traditional" poetry either; I tend to lean more towards spoken word poetry. As such, it doesn't have the same effect unless spoken aloud! 😄
(To think that none of this could have existed without you
If your message in a bottle hadn't managed to find me
In that vast sea of faces
A reality in which our urban adventure had yet to be explored
Where we never watched the sky afire from the daycare rooftop
And I would never have found serenity during our backseat car naps
The late night visits that sparked a key drop unto the parking lot below
How quickly time slipped through clenched fingers while pleading for your presence
The arrival of our creation, inspired by love, 9 months in the making
Only to have a terrifyingly terrific tot toss us onto our heads
And reveal the secrets of the universe to me
Tucked away within her little chestnut eyes
If my life had never changed on the chance of meeting you
A big kid at heart with a zest for life
Trying to capture the world in the lens of his camera
Who showed me that there is more to life than misuse and abuse while hell is let loose
Our precious princesses procuring my perspective
From a suicidal slump into something beautiful
I felt love gazing up at me in wonder as I held her in my arms
The need to protect and cherish so great
That I have had life breathed back into me
The colors returned to my world
Days endlessly wrapped up in love within our sanctuary
And I shudder to utter the thought
That none of this could have existed
If your message in a bottle hadn't found me
In that vast sea of faces...)
