Wisdom Wednesday: Love & Marriage

When I was looking for photos for today's post, I came across a few gems that I couldn't help but share.  They reminded me of a quote I like, so I thought it would be perfect for the (resurrected) Wisdom Wednesday!

Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave.  - Martin Luther

What I love about this quote is that it shows the importance of mutual love and care in a marriage.  Each spouse is responsible in many ways for the other's happiness, and when both parties take this role seriously, the marriage can't help but have an upward spiral and flourish greatly.

Speaking of flourishing marriages, join me in wishing my dear parents a very happy 30th wedding anniversary (plus a day - it was yesterday, but Wisdom Tuesday doesn't have the same ring to it!)

These pictures were from 2010, when Justin & I were engaged.  We were at my grandparents' house, and my mom and I opened the seal on her preserved wedding gown to see if I could wear it for our wedding.  It was a no-go for me (it wasn't big enough in either direction!), but my mom put it on with much better success.  

How sweet are these pictures?!

Happy Anniversary, guys, and thanks for being such an example of love and of home!

Must be doing something right...

During the past two weekends, we've traveled to visit family in Pennsylvania.  Both weekends were wonderful, surrounded by lots of people we love.  We were spoiled (and not just Anna!), well cared for, and well fed.  Make no mistake, they were great weekends.  But, MAN, rounding the corner onto our street never feels so good as after a weekend away.  People always say they're happy to be in their own bed - I'll also admit I'm happy to be in my own kitchen and living room and bathroom and porch and everything else.  Again, just to be clear - there's absolutely nothing wrong with the places we visited (in fact they might even be nicer than ours!) but they're just not home.

It's not a new idea for me to be glad to be home.  But tonight, I witnessed something incredibly sweet.  When we pulled up, the stopping of the car made Anna wake up and start fussing (all the hours in the car have made her less than fond of her carseat).  I unstrapped her and stood in the driveway to give her a few cuddles and bounces.  She stopped crying and woke up fully.  As she rubbed her little eyes, she looked up at the  porch.  And I could literally see it dawn on her - oh hey - I know this place!  She broke out in a huge smile.  When I brought her upstairs to her room to get ready for bed, it was the same way.  She clearly knew where she was, and was also very clearly happy about that. 

Justin and I have talked a lot about wanting to create a home for Anna and any future siblings that makes them comfortable and happy - and a place where they want to be.  We've read and observed that a desire to be home and with family is one of the common threads in raising good kids.  It was so affirming to see that we've met that for her in the last nine months.  Now - if we can just keep it up through the teenage years :)