-Wait! Where are you going to put it??
-I don't know. Probably right here. That's what we talked about.
-Yea, but I'm not totally sure that's where I want it.
-Right, but I'm tired of the frame sitting out on the table.
-I know, I just need to think more about exactly where I want it.
-I'm going to put it on the wall today or it goes in the attic.
-No! I don't want it in the attic... I just don't know where I want it yet.
-*Big sigh*
-Ok, that's fine we can put it here.
-Great. *Begins putting drill up to wall*
-Wait!! Are we sure that's centered?
-Yep.
-But is it too high?
-Not everything needs to be low.
-I know but I don't want it too high.
-*Drill in wall*
-Wait, wait, wait... is that level?
-Yes, it's level.
-Are you sure?
-*Sigh* what do you think?
-.... Yea, it looks pretty level to me.
-Great.
-Thanks for putting that up.
-No problem.... Now it's time for the bulletin board.
-Wait! Where are you going to put it??
And the cycle continues.
Putting a home together is a great way to learn more about your spouse. Otha and I have had the lovely opportunity to see our different personalities clash, stretch, and surrender to the other over the past few months. Unlike Otha, I looove taking time to think about where I want each and every item placed in our home until I am 100% confident. The problem is I am rarely 100% confident in a decision. So until I am absolutely sure, stuff sits in piles around the house. Otha hates piles. Piles taunt him as a constant reminder that he cannot fully relax because projects await him. Nails need to hammered, pictures need to be hung, furniture needs to be painted. I, on the other hand, love nestling amongst the piles knowing that there is such potential for home. The more I sit with the piles, the more excited I get. A part of me withers when an item departs from the pile to go on the wall prematurely. From then on, I can't help but think the item belonged somewhere else, in a different position, hung in a different way. Don't worry- I am well aware how ridiculous I am.
Thanks to Otha's need for piles to disappear, however, we are almost completely settled in to our home. I am learning to appreciate these parts of Otha that sometimes drive me crazy. What I may initially see as a negative trait, more often then not that characteristic turns out to benefit our family. I am consistently reminded that God truly created Otha and I as opposites in the best way. Although it sounds cliche, Otha's strengths are my weaknesses and his weaknesses are my strengths. In the moment communication seems impossible, our interactions are frustrating, but over time I see the perfect fit of our craziness resulting in balance. We make a great team when we surrender to the other.
With that, I raise my glass to two years of marriage. Two years of learning, failing, laughing, crying, fighting, surrendering, and loving each other in the best ways that we know how. I am deeply thankful to the Lord for giving me Otha Graham to lead our family. Even when he hangs things on the wall prematurely.
June 12, 2012 Two Year Anniversary
And of course our offspring:
