I was working late one night last week. Before I wrapped up for the night I decided to change out the girls' pictures with their most recent school ones. I was a frame short (the twins typically share pictures). As I was trying to decide what picture to cover up, one of Rob and I seemed to make the most sense since there are multiple ones of us throughout my office. As I was evaluating what to do, I moved the one I had been eyeing covering up to another frame.
Why the dilemma? The picture is a great picture of us. It was taken at the Valentine's Gala in 2017. Honestly, it's one of the best pictures we've taken. But that's not it. The picture shows a picture perfect couple. What it doesn't show is the heartache and turmoil surrounding it. I see so many things in this picture: I see the tears that were cried because I wanted to look beautiful, not "fine." I see the girl that felt like her world was falling apart at the seams, but was trying desperately to hold it together. I see hurt being masked because everyone is always watching, so smiling was easier.
But I didn't cover it up. I didn't hide those memories with one of a cute kiddo. No, I left it front and center. Not to dwell on the past. Not to drudge up old memories that quite frankly hurt as I've shared with what happens when you let your guard down. Honestly, that seems like a lifetime ago, though it hasn't been that long.
I left it up, because I see so much more when I look at it. I see a couple who fought hard; damn hard for the life and love that they have. I see a couple determined to overcome what seemed impossible, but learned that through grace, love and faith in God, we could restore our life. I see a couple that knows that we can make it through just about anything if we hold true to each of those things.
I've said before, that I believe this life, my life is a fairy tale. That's not to say fairy tales are all perfect and without heartache. In fact, most have some pretty ugly parts before they get good. Fairy tales aren't promised to always be shiny and full of roses. It's more expected that they will be splattered with dirt and tears, and that's ok. Why? Because we can't truly appreciate the good times without having gone through some bad ones. Sometimes those reminders are worth leaving front and center.
So I leave the picture there as a reminder, not to take this for granted. Not to forget how blessed I am. A reminder to remember to work hard for what I've got, not only in my marriage, but everything else I do. Most importantly, it's a reminder of keeping my priorities in line: God, marriage, family, work...sometimes that's hard, but I know from experience that things start to crumble when I fail to do just that. That knowledge is worth the lessons we learned and worth keeping a reminder right in front of me all of the time.
