Six Months

This past Monday marked a mile stone of my marriage to Brett... we made it six months. Now coming from a couple who dated over 5 and a half years before tying the knot, six months shouldn't sound to long. The past six months have probably seemed the longest of our entire relationship due to the drastic change marriage has on a relationship. Just learning to live with another person you have known for so long was challenging. Things like sleeping styles, food preferences, and body temperatures bring challenges when you are used to just taking care of yourself. Not to mention learning to share everything. I now view the first six months of marriage as the "figure-each-other-out" stage. Yes, I have known Brett since I was fourteen, but I didn't know his breakfast preferences or that he couldn't sleep without a fan on in the bedroom. This six month stage has had its own set of challenges that no one can figure out before marriage. No matter how many books or marriage counseling courses you take during engagement, I am convinced that marriage is a learn-as-you-go process. I have fully enjoyed the ups and downs over the last six months and am so thankful to have dedicated my life to learning more about my husband and who God made him to be.

This is when we were on our honeymoon in Cancun. I miss it and hope we can go on another getaway soon.

Here are a couple of lessons I have learned about marriage within the past few months. 

1. Strange not Sinful. It is okay if you and your spouse don't agree on everything or match up perfectly... or that would make you both the same person and your marriage would be boring. Just because he or she is different than you does not make what they do sinful. Evaluate each situation by asking: Is what he/she is doing truly sinning or just different than how I would handle this situation? 

2. People who appear to have it all together: A. were not born that compatible without years of working on their marriage, B. usually go through the same struggles that you go through in marriage, C. probably think you look like you have it all together. 

3. Mentors make the difference. 

Got any godly marriage advice? Books or studies for couples? Message me :)