So This Is Love: 7 Years!

My two oldest boys love to watch "The Mice." This really means Cinderella and I'm milking it for all it's worth because I don't have anyone to watch princess movies with so far. And I enjoy princess movies every now and then. Tangled is one of my favorite princess movies ever! Now to just get someone to watch musicals with me... 

Back to the movie. When Cinderella and the prince are at the ball they sing "So This Is Love" and waltz around a beautiful garden under a sky filled with stars. 

So this is love, 

So this is love

So this is what makes life divine

I'm all aglow, 

And now I know

The key to all heaven is mine

My heart has wings, 

And I can fly

I'll touch ev'ry star in the sky

So this is the miracle that I've been dreaming of

So this is love

It's a beautiful song; those Disney songwriters are amazing. But it's not the truth. That is not love. Love isn't the beautiful dress with high heels and a uniform dancing in moonlit perfection. Love isn't a memorable date or abundant money or tropical vacations. Love may include those things but they aren't love. 

Justin and I are celebrating our seventh anniversary today. And if love were moonlight and fancy clothes and ease we wouldn't be so in love anymore. 

Love is the promise to stand by each other and do each other good for the rest of your life, come what may. Love is the days that turn into years that include dreams come true and nightmares you never imagined. Love is looking at the doctor and knowing the news is going to be bad. Love is holding hands and hanging on when what you really want to do is run somewhere far away. Love is approving medical procedures, paying bills with money you don't have, and hoping for the best. 

Love is working and squeezing in quality time instead of just sitting in front of the tv. Love is budgeting the money and sharing holidays and traditions. Love is going on dates and discussing the future. Love is serving in church together, staying home with sick kids, and pushing each other toward Jesus. 

Love is beach vacations, late night talks, and breakfast in bed. Love is cookies- just because, someone's favorite meal, clean clothes in the drawers. Love is going to work day in and day out so there's money in the bank. Love is the flu and lots of chicken soup and ginger ale. 

Love is forgiving. Love is overlooking the offense instead of taking offense. Love is trying again in the morning. Love is going the extra mile when you didn't want to go the first one. Love is anniversaries, birthdays, holidays. Love is the everyday: dishes and bills and laundry over and over. 

Love is children. Love is being up all night and smiling at each other in the morning. Love is sharing burdens and ideas about these little ones you are responsible for. Love is changing your ideas about a peaceful family dinner and enjoying the chaos. Love is early mornings instead of sleeping in. 

Love is work and school and dreams you didn't know you had. Love is supporting each other in those things and wanting the best for the other. Love is homework and lesson plans and going back to work at midnight. Love is another night alone with kids after you've been alone with them all day. 

Love is a choice, a decision you make every day when you get out of bed. Love is saying "yes" every day not just once. Love is praying for that person and then getting out of the way to let God work. 

Love looks different in every story because every story is different. But love is more than pretty. Love is more than easy. Here love is seven years of marriage, three boys, and a metabolic disorder.

Love is beautiful and I'd do it all again.