Beneath the surface of every enduring union lies an unseen architecture of intimacy, crafted from the balance of presence and acceptance. In these shared moments, when we're fully seen and truly accepted, our deepest connections are formed.
Reflecting on my 15-year marriage, still growing together, I realize that the most profound expressions of love happen every day.
They're the quiet moments of sacrifice, the intentional choices to prioritize another's needs, and the relentless efforts to bridge the gaps between two imperfect individuals.
Love is a choice that deepens and strengthens over time, beyond the spark and afterglow.
It's the decision to show up, listen, and labor alongside someone through life's joys and struggles. It's the willingness to be vulnerable, to confront our own flaws, and to grow together.
I remember the countless nights my husband and I spent navigating the dark waters of loss and acceptance, our dreams of what we thought our family would look like seemingly shattered.
It was during those seasons of despair that our intimacy was tested, refined, and ultimately strengthened.
We communicated with genuine honesty. We supported each other's fragile emotions. We found solace in the simplest gestures, wrapped in the safety of a hug, the comfort of hearing each other out until dawn, or a shared laugh in that awkward moment when you're so drained and have nothing left that it brings relief.
Traveling internationally for our professions and navigating the complexities of building a life together, we discovered that our unity was no longer afforded the protective, static state of our childhood homes during our three years of dating. Over the next two decades, our marriage, lives, and individual selves underwent constant transformation, requiring effort, commitment, and a willingness to evolve together. Days together were better than the weeks, months, or years we were assigned apart. We learned to cherish the mundane: our morning coffee, Sunday afternoon naps on the couch with our cats, and the silly jokes that only we understand.
When Hollywood often celebrates grand romantic gestures, it's easy to mistake ordinary for average.
Yet it's precisely these unpretentious acts of adoration that have the power to ground us, to make us feel seen, heard, and understood. As you reflect on your own relationships, I encourage you to look beyond the surface level. It's in these moments that we find the true depth of devotion.
Celebrate the unseen fidelity that goes into building connection – the untold sacrifices, willingness to compromise, sincere apologies, forgiveness readily given, and quiet moments of vulnerability. For that is what it is to be cherished.
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