~by Michelle
I was moved by this post by my friend — also named Michelle (pictured above with her darling family) — who talked about the grand plans she and her husband recently had to celebrate their twentieth wedding anniversary. But after a lot of chaos and putting their finger on the pulse of their family, they realized it just wasn’t the right time for a trip to New York City.
I love what Michelle says:
“The truth is, a trip is just a trip. We didn’t get married to go sightseeing and out to dinner, but to create a family together.”
I think she captures some pretty fundamental Mormon beliefs in that statement.
Now, before someone comes back with the fact that it’s important to nurture a marriage, I think she gets that and so do I. But a key part of what nurtures their marriage relationship is working together to nurture their family. From what I can see, they live what I think equal partnership is all about — not focused on the individual well-being of the partners alone, but on the good of the family as a whole.
Michelle would be the first person to say that they are not perfect by any means. But it’s hard not to feel the love when I get peeks into their life, especially as I see the ways she and her husband use their time and talents to build God’s kingdom within the walls of their home.
I don’t think it’s any wonder that she starts her 20th anniversary post with the following declaration:
“I think it’s a good sign that I still feel a tug of sadness when he leaves for work in the morning.”
– – – – – – –
The most important of the Lord’s work you and I will ever do will be within the walls of our own homes.
President Harold B. Lee
What a sweet post. I loved the family picture and I can see happiness in their faces. I am a grandmother now; but I had 6 children and we had many moments when we would plan a trip and then couldn’t but we would try to replace it with fun activities in the city we lived in. Being together and making good memories is what is important; not being some certain place.
I have been married for 43 years and I still feel sad when he goes off to work. I love it when he able to work at home.
Thankd and blessings to you! LeAnn