In the age of texting instead of calling I find myself in a
constant conversation with my friends and family via text message. I like to
tell myself that it’s not… but it is an addiction because I consistently wonder
what they are up to and am always trying to find random and funny things to
text them during the day.
I noticed recently that I have a habit of typing “live” when
I intend to type “love”. I’m not really sure that I can even blame autocorrect
for that…I just keep doing it. It occurred to me that the past few times were
all situations in which I meant to type out “I love that” and instead I typed
“I live that”.
Well that’s a little deep for a text message…but it got me
thinking…
If you truly love something shouldn’t you live it?
For example, those who love fitness and health live a
lifestyle that reflects that. Those who start a family, love their children and
make their kids their life and so on. And then there are so many of us that
talk about a passion and love for various things in life but we don’t really
get out there and live them.
I am just as guilty as the next person…perhaps my hands are
trying to tell my heart something:
If you love it…live it.
Thoughts for a New Year.
Love,
Elyse
4 Years ago today I woke up in a hotel room…surrounded by my
family and an air of excitement and anticipation. Weddings are notoriously
nerve wracking and stressful and I would be lying if I told you that I didn’t threaten
to throw up a few times that day. But one of the strongest memories that I
carry from that day isn’t from the wedding itself or even the reception.
It was the first 5 minutes after I woke up on the morning of
our wedding. I had slept such a sound sleep, with no interruptions and no
waking up worried or nervous. I didn’t even wake early…my family had to coax me
to wake up that morning. I remember lying in bed as the day began feeling so
relaxed and disturbingly calm. I suppose some might call it the calm before the
storm since the day had yet to really begin. But I know better…I get nervous
when I am doing something that scares me, when I worry something may not turn
out the way I want, when I’m doing something that I’m not sure that
I should or when I’m intimidated. I was not nervous that morning when I woke up
because I knew that on that day I was going to do exactly what I was meant to
do.
God doesn’t bring people into your life half-hazardly…
everyone (good or bad) touches your life for a reason. It would be fairy tale
magic to say that I met my husband, immediately knew that he was the one and we
rode off into the sunset. It would be honest to say that I met my husband,
enjoyed some sarcastic banter and proceeded to spend every year falling more in
love with who he is and who I am with him. Friendship can be difficult, dating
can be challenging and marriage can be hard…but all of these things, when laced
with love, laughter and faith, are worth
it when you’ve found the one you are meant to tie your life to.
It seems that the traditional gifts that are exchanged in
honor of a 4 year anniversary are flowers and fruit. This year we both agreed
that neither of us really wanted an edible arrangement and we could do
something better with the money that would be spent on a random fruit basket. So
we did one of my favorite things to do…gave back.
In celebration of our 4 year anniversary, we donated 10
fruit trees through World Vision to provide food and hopefully future income to
families in need. The skeptics that I know will say that we have no way of
proving that World Vision will really provide fruit trees and that our money may
actually be spent elsewhere. But those who are much like I am (the optimists)
will believe that this organization will use the funds for good…regardless…and
there is no better way to celebrate our love, happiness and blessings than to
try and share that with others.
Happy 4th Anniversary Husband.
Love,
Elyse
