Contract
Four years ago I said yes to the unknown. I agreed to be with my husband through better and worse, through riches and poverty and sickness and health. We have no idea what these extremes look like when we are mouthing the words at the altar of our choosing. We have no idea how the stressors of life will affect our lives and our marriage. We don’t know what caregiving and unstable job markets will do to our union. We don’t know how kids will utterly disrupt our norm. We don’t know what life looks like after “I do.” Each year, we say “yes” again to the unknown. Each year we sign our names at the bottom of a contract not knowing what the following year may bring. That’s marriage….it’s jumping in the deep end holding hands. It’s saying, "I might not like you, but I love you, and we are going to get through this together.” Marriage is saying it might be our last, but we will spend it together. Marriage is signing a contract you never intend to break.
Pledge
Tomorrow will mark one year of marriage for my husband and I. I always wanted to be married. I always wanted to have kids. I just wasn't quite sure how I would get there. I was what you would call a "serial dater." I did have a few serious relationships that taught me very valuable lessons, though I did not appreciate the lessons at that time. I learned what I liked and what I didn't. I learned what I could tolerate and what I wouldn't. Most importantly, I learned about myself. When I got tired of dead-end relationships and serial dating, I found myself praying for my future husband, not knowing it was someone I already knew. I prayed with expectation. I spent time alone, waiting for God's best. I did not date or waste my time with placeholders. I waited. And he came shortly after I started my prayers. Let me encourage those of you who are still waiting, at the end of yourself is God, and in God is everything you desire. On August 19th, 2016 I pledged my life and love to Mr. Gustave Harrison. By far one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life that all started with a prayer. I literally went from a prayer to a pledge.