"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."