Going Down
Canon 5D Mark ll 50 1.2L, 2.0 aperture, 1/80 shutter, 500 ISO
We spent the day together. We were going to celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary a couple days early, since the kids were all out of town. Neither of us felt very good. We had both been fighting some kind of bug all week, that just wouldn’t leave. We went to lunch, and came home exhausted, feeling a bit defeated that our celebration was fizzling out a bit early. “That’s all right,” we told each other, “we will rest and then go out again tonight.” As the day went on, so did the fatigue. We just felt flat. We both felt the need to comfort each other. “It’s okay. It’s not that big of a deal”, we kept saying.
Finally, over dinner, (which was also not very good), I unearthed the problem. It was not the fact that we both felt bad, or that our day didn’t seem to be going well. It was the fear of mediocrity. We just don’t want our marriage to ever be mediocre. Anniversaries tend to bring out expectations. We expected to have a wonderful day together, but we just didn’t physically feel good, and that was disappointing. Once we talked about this, we both felt better. The truth was, we have nothing to fear. There is nothing mediocre about spending the day with my most favorite person in the world, or about the fact that we have been married for 24 years. After dinner, we went to Barnes and Noble. I got coffee and we talked about books. We held hands in the biography section, kissed by the Best Sellers, (you might have seen us) and played on the escalator. Sometimes you just have to wait out the flat feelings. The amazing feelings come back around again. Passionate, joyful, rich feelings.
Here is the best part. He is mine and I am his. There is nothing mediocre about becoming one with him, my husband, or about our commitment to each other. I have been married to him longer than I knew life without him. My life is with him.
Besides, we hope to go to Italy for our 25th. (Insert happy dance here).
Here’s to another year with the love of my life. I will always ride the escalator with him, no matter if it is going up or down.
Heading Back Up
9 Comments
That was really joyful x
Love this Mary Anne! Made me cry:) You are such a wonderful writer and photographer!
I like this . . .
The very essence of marriage (I think) is captured in your line:
“I will always ride the escalator with him, no matter if it is going up or down.”
Thank You for writing such great stuff and for riding the escalator with me.
That’s right, I agree with you.. You both have the Lord and each other.. that’s all that really matters. You can enjoy time together anywhere and thank God for all his Blessings!! He looks soooo Happy : ))!!!! Hope you feel better soon!!! The Lord Bess you both.. l!!
LOVE this. Hey, I thought I recognized that bookstore! Mall of GA next to PFChangs, right? I like looking out the windows at their little coffee area. Anyway, what I really started this to say was that your posts about your husband/marriage inspire me more than any others. Hope you both feel better, and Happy Anniversary!
Tina
Hi Tina,
Yes that is right! A favorite spot of ours! Thanks for the anniversary wishes!:)
I love this. It is real. It is cute. And it includes two people that I love dearly. Happy Anniversary tomorrow. 24 years! Can it be?
I am so happy that you married him!!!!!
Such a quirky face on that second image–they are both great. And I approve of the contrast between flatness and up-down-ness. And I understand the struggle, even if I don’t have the 24 years of marriage to learn from.
I like this one.