Thursday, April 7, 2016

"Here Come the Newlyweds!"






There have been many posts here in blogland that tell how ttwd has changed a marriage for the better.  I, myself, have often written pieces which include references to how it has made our relationship stronger and the love more intense.  Sometimes this new dynamic between us makes me so happy that I could burst.  Have often thought, "Surely people must notice something different about me - about Sam and I." And they do.



Recently, Sam told me that our older son had asked him, "What's with Mom?"  It is true.  At home, I especially don't pretend to be anything but head over heels in love with Sam.  I am sure our boys (now men) notice and wonder.  It's not like we were hateful to each other before.  But there was a lot more sarcasm, impatience, and getting the last word.  Talking over one another and knowing I WAS RIGHT.






Now there is no discord between us.  There is never even a short period of silence, which was always a dead give-away that Sam and I were not getting along about something.  I haven't had a spell of depression like used to happen from time to time.  We both jump up to greet the other coming home.




Our cards to each other always sit on a prominent shelf near the table for anyone to see.  I sing to myself as I trip around the house completing tasks.  We hold hands and sit closely.  In fact, we touch almost every time we are near each other.  And of course (though not perfect at this) they notice when I say, "I think I will let your dad make that decision."


Younger son is now happily engaged to a wonderful woman.  She is a talented photographer, too, who says she would really love to take some pictures of Sam and me.  She smiled and told me last week she wants to capture the love she sees between us.  "I want to be as in love as you two are when _____ and I are your age."  It was such a lovely thing to say.




My brother lived out of state for almost 7 years, and he and his wife (this SIL is a sweetie!) recently moved back here to retire.  Although he has not said anything directly to Sam or me, he, too, questioned one of the family about the change.  "My god, it's like they were way back when we were all teenagers!"



I have shared that in the last few weeks, Sam has organized a party for a milestone wedding anniversary at our favorite restaurant/pub.  It is an old fashioned family-run business where the owner comes around to your table to say hello and make sure everything is fine.  Sam has talked to the manager about the party details and also got to know the head bartender and several of the wait staff.  One young waitress brought her husband and their new baby to introduce to us.  "I just wanted you to know," she said with a smile, "you two are an inspiration."  I got to hold the baby, and we all chatted a bit.



Finally, we were heading in to "our place" late Saturday afternoon.  As we entered, the bartender yelled out, "Here come the newlyweds!"  Every head in the place swung around to see who it was.  The bartender just grinned and waved.  Hand in hand we stopped for a second, surprised.  I was a little embarrassed, but Sam just laughed.  It felt like an episode of Cheers as we slipped into our favorite booth.



So, yes, Sam and I notice a huge difference in our marriage and in the way we treat each other.  But it shows to the world, as well.  There is a quote I remembered as I was writing this.  Perhaps you will like it as much as I do.

            "Love isn't in the falling, it's in the staying there." 


30 comments:

  1. What a beautiful, beautiful post to start my day! hugs abby

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Abby. TTWD is a beautiful, beautiful thing. We are very lucky.

      Hugs From Ella

      Delete
  2. I love this post Ella. It seems to me that when the children become adults themselves life can go one of two ways. My MIL and FIL seem to actually hate each other but my best friend who is in front of me in the children stakes; (she had children earlier and they are much older than mine) is not in a ttwd relationship as far as I know but was telling me the other day how her and her husband have gone back to spending time together, holding hands and bring in love now they have time to themselves again. I am seeing glimpses of that but we're not there yet.
    I am sure you are an inspiration to many, how wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The time we spend together is the happiest time of all. It seems to just keep getting better.

      Thanks, Janey!
      Ella

      Delete
  3. I like the quote, Ella, so true. Beautiful post. Happy Anniversary!
    Rosie xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How to stay there was always the question. Now I know that ttwd is the answer.

      Hugs to Rosie Across the Pond

      Delete
  4. Hi Ella, :) I'm with Abby here! Your post put a huge morning smile on my face! They say that there is nothing like young love. We are all lucky enough to be able to say that there is nothing like young love gone middle age and beyond! LOL! We all are incredibly lucky. We've put a lot of hard work in to get there. We should pat ourselves on the back, right? Or get our partners to give us a nice spanking. :)

    Wishing you both a WONDERFUL anniversary! Your celebration sounds lovely! Enjoy! Many hugs,

    <3 Katie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Katie,
      Middle age and beyond! And I agree that any patting should be on the backside. Thanks so much for the congrats.

      Ella Smiling Back at You :)

      Delete
  5. Elle,
    You had me at newlywed! Your post shouted joy and happiness. A milestone anniversary is just that........ a wonderful milestone. Treasure one another. Your example is watched by those around you. Happy Anniversary, you two love birds.
    Meredith

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a sweet note, Meredith. It is a special anniversary, I do truly treasure my Sam. He is an amazing man.

      Ella Ever After

      Delete
  6. Replies
    1. Sunny wishes from our Sunny! Thank you, Friend.

      Ella

      Delete
  7. Hi Ella, what a lovely post, I am so pleased to see how happy you both are. Our sons definitely think the same of us, the youngest and his fiancee reckon they are going to base their marriage on ours, so we are very happy to think they like how we are! How lucky we all are to have discovered ttwd
    love Jan, xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many of the wishes from all of you today include the word "lucky." It is true. That is what I mean about being so happy I could burst. Lucky to know all of you, too.

      Hugs Across the Pond,
      Ella

      Delete
  8. Ella, a beautiful post full of love and happiness. Happy Anniversary.

    Love
    Ronnie
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is so nice to receive such lovely greetings from all of you. Glad you liked the post, Ronnie. Love like this is a beautiful thing.

      Sending a Big Hug and a Big Thank You,
      Ella

      Delete
  9. This is wonderful! Rediscovering your spouse at any age is a special feeling. Happy anniversary!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are right, PK. It is funny but I feel that in rediscovering Sam, I also rediscovered myself.

      Ella

      Delete
  10. What a beautiful love letter, Ella. Wishing you and Sam an awesome anniversary and many more wonderful years together.

    Hugs and blessings...Cat

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cat,
      We did find all our old love letters last year. A simpler time. No one will ever discover old emails years from now. There is something special about a handwritten letter.

      Hugs From Ella

      Delete
  11. Hi Ella, this is such a lovely tribute to the love you and Sam share and really made me smile today :) Wishing you both a wonderful and Happy Anniversary.

    Hugs
    Roz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sweet wishes from you, Roz! It is so nice to have you back. I am glad I could send you that smile.

      Hugs,
      Ella

      Delete
  12. What a lovely post Ella. The referral to being newly weds put a smile on my face. Our children can see a huge difference in us too and call us teenagers in love. TTWD is a wonderful thing and we are all so lucky to be where we are in our relationships.

    Happy anniversary to you and Sam. Hope there are many more happy years creating wonderful memories together. Of course plenty of spanky time too.
    Hugs Lindy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the anniversary wishes, Lindy. Yes, like teenagers, I suppose. We are certainly a long way from that now, but I still have those feelings when he touches me.

      Yes, too, to many more spankings!

      Ella

      Delete
  13. It's really beautiful when not only do you, yourselves feel like the love surrounds you both, but everyone else recognizes that love as well!
    We've had similar thoughts from others as well! It's very nice!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so glad to hear that, Minelle. We should celebrate those moments every day. Not just on an anniversary.

      Hugs From Ella

      Delete
  14. Ella, Hi! Could it be true that this lifestyle could bring so much bliss into your lives?! How exciting :) I love my husband but I know we have the potential to reach that point that you and your spouse have and I can't wait till that happens! How lovely it was to read your post and to see that after a long marriage that the newlywed feeling is something that can be revisited time and again! Great to find your blog ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dolores, welcome. So glad you are visiting! TTWD is a lot of work but so very much worth the effort. I am happy that my post spoke to you. There are so many blogs that helped me on our way. Hope you find your road, too. Please know how nice it was to hear from you. And write again whenever it feels right.

      Sincerely,
      Ella

      Delete
  15. This is so beautiful and I am so happy for you! :-) Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love that "new" feeling that ttwd has brought to our marriage too. The love has always been there but the desire to hold hands again and do those extra little outward signs for each other is amazing!

    Hugs,
    Clara

    ReplyDelete