5 Years

Today Jessica and I celebrate our five year wedding anniversary. Thankfully, we went out for a little celebration on Tuesday, because we will likely see each other for all of five minutes today... work schedules that don't mix.

But in the spirit of this wonderful day, I offer just a few thoughts.

We bought a minivan this week. Somehow, this financial move encompasses much of what has happened in five years. First of all, we've grown very close. I suppose most couples at the time of their wedding consider themselves to be as close as any two people could be--goodness, their getting married! But there is something that can only take place within the actual marriage (and even more so within the Temple Marriage) relationship that allows for continued growth, love, and respect.

Ah! It pains me to think of this because it always brings thoughts of dear President Hinckley and his broken heart at the loss of his sweet companion! If I think that Jessica and I have been linked together in heart in five years, what about 60+ years together in the Lord? There are conflicting feelings when considering this: first there's the feeling of anticipation--as we continue to build our family and develop our love for one another, we can expect to feel even more of what we already do; but then there's that awful thought of one of us leaving before the other; ah but what of the reunion when we meet again? Life is meant to be lived in feeling, with sensitivities continually being heightened and purified. How else could we ever expect to love as Heavenly Father does?

Anyway, I'm grateful for the terminology within the Church when we say "Celestial Marriage." That is exactly what marriage ought to be, and that is what we are working toward. And yes, for us, a large part of that is the living of the commandment first given to our Parents Adam and Eve: what a blessing children are! Our two little boys bring us so much joy, so much happiness, so much patience, so many deep breaths before we react, so much craziness, and so much of that stuff that you can't describe.

It's fitting, I think, that on our anniversary of meeting last week, just before indulging the cookies and hot cocoa, we found out that we are expecting number 3. Jessica has blogged about this here. And so we decided to buy a car that could fit three car seats/boosters. Having children has only strengthened our appreciation for one another. For my part, as I watch the way Jessica nurtures Joshua and Morgan (and yes, nurturing does have some measure of sharp correction at times, and she is marvelous there) I am amazed at motherhood. It has to be the most difficult responsibility given to anyone: to bear the souls of the children of men. During this Season we remember the One Soul who was born to save all others, and appropriately so, we sing and speak of that vessel, chosen and pure, who was blessed among all women to go into the valley of the shadow of death and bring forth a Son. There is something of Mary in all women; that willingness to face death to bring forth new life, and for that I give thanks to the Lord for my sweet wife, who has done so and continues to do so. Pregnancy is not easy on her, but I know she would not trade the nausea and fatigue for anything... she continues in the work of salvation by providing tabernacles of flesh to those whom the Lord sends us.

I love you, Jess.