The past few weeks have been very difficult on our family as the whirlwind of law school, work, and opposite schedules have finally taken their toll. As most of you know, I am a very optimistic person that always sees the glass half full and always tends to look "on the bright side" of everything. For over eight months, Andy's schedule and mine have been completely opposite. He has been called into work nearly every Friday and, therefore, works Friday through Monday in another state. During the week, Andy cares for the most precious jewel of all - our son Lane-, endures studying for law school, and tries to take part in his hobby of yard-work when he can while I work Tuesday through Thursday. I leave work early each day to meet him and our sweet pea at the park to trade vehicles. He heads to school and I head home for outdoor playdates with Doll Baby, bath time, dinner, and rocking our piece of heaven. Around 9ish, Andy returns home for us to eat, clean up from dinner, and crash into bed to get ready to do it all over again tomorrow. After approximately 240 days of following this routine, optimistic me finally crumbled. I became so sad, selfish, and wound myself into feeling unimportant. While I soaked in self-pity, I lost site of the big picture. I became so engulfed in the day by day routine, so engulfed in myself that I lost site of why I was part of the picture in the first place. After a near meltdown and a spilling of my heart, the gift of optimism, the ability to lift others up in time of need, and just pure faith became my solid prayer. And, I began to journey back to where it all began..
Andrew and I are high school sweethearts. We met in P.E. class when I was only 14 years old (a few days shy of being 15) and Andrew was 17. It was lust at first site! He was the most beautiful guy I had ever seen. While I knew I never had a chance with him, I stared anyway. The Lord had bigger plans. Within a week, he asked me to go to dinner and a movie. I was so giddy and excited. He was just so beautiful! Movies and dinner turned into note passing, phone conversations that lasted forever, senior prom, skipping rocks on the river, and eventually pure and genuine love.
Love got us through approximately 2100 miles apart or more as Andrew lived out his dream of being a United States Marine. He lived at Camp Pendleton in the San Diego, CA area and traveled the world while I finished high school and started college. It was quite different being a part of the military then versus now as cell phones or email did not exist. It was all pay phones and snail mail. I still have all the letters encripted with his tiny handwriting and probaby my tears. The Lord led me to someone I didn't ever want to live without. I always longed to spend more time with him.
Four years later, the day I longed for finally happened. Andrew came home from the Marine Corp to start college with me at Auburn University. I couldn't wait to spend every single day with him and makeup for what I thought was lost time. While at Auburn University, Andrew studied and worked 3 jobs. I began to miss him all over again. He was finally home but so busy attaining mutual goals. Optimistic me knew this to shall pass and we would have our happily ever after.
Upon graduation, we were married at the Court House as Andrew felt led to become a Marine Corp Officer. The engagement and wedding of my dreams (that by this time I had been collecting ideas and photos from magazines for over 8 years) would have to wait. The Lord had other plans for Andrew..for us. They didn't involve the Marines...but rather law school.
So, here we are. ..Enduring the whirlwind of law school and opposite schedules. The Lord has tested my ability to stay supportive and optimistic..my ability to be a true cheerleader for my husband for the past 13 years. While I do not know what lies ahead, I realize that I am living in my happily ever after. I have a husband that loves me so much that he would spend 13 years working his tail off so he can provide for his family. I have a husband that admist his busy schedule, spends so much quality time with our beautiful son whether soothing him during sleepless nights when he is sick, stroller rides to the park or wheel-barrel rides to the garden, or taking him to watch little league baseball while waiting for my arrival from work. And, I have a husband that loves me to the core..so much that he would rope the moon if I asked him to.
I am living in my happily ever after. "We will weep for a time, but JOY will come in the morning." for we know this whirlwind of a schedule shall to pass. It's time to get the pom-poms out and root on my husband. The Lord has prepared me for this moment for so long while giving me the time of my life. The Lord always takes care of His children. I know he has big plans for us. It's time to dive into his Word, take a plunge into love, and soak up this beautiful time with our son. It's time to get my nose out of the details, stop asking questions, and be a faithful servant to the Almighty. It may not be an easy road ahead but it is not without purpose.
With much love and conviction,
Summer
(A special thanks to my best friend of many, many years Jennifer Huckabee for helping me get my head out of the sand.)
