Who Do You Date?

This week I was at the hospital for an EEG, a test for my migraines, and I was sitting in the waiting area listening to my daughter's IPod to try and focus my thoughts on God and not on the anxiety that I was having about the test. As I sprawled myself out and tried to relax, an older couple slowly made their way to the waiting area as well. She was in a wheel chair and he was walking with a cane. The nurse that was pushing her instructed them to wait there until they came out for the Mrs. test to be done. As they sat there I tried to picture TW and I in our 80's and what we might look like. I then began thinking about everything that him and I had already conquered together and again tried to imagine adding 50 more years of joys and troubles to that to get a full feeling of what this couple may have experienced in their lives together. I noticed that they didn't do much talking. I recently heard or read (can't remember which) that instead of being sad when you see an older couple not speaking (thinking that they no longer have anything to talk about) you could rejoice in their silence knowing that they have grown to one another so well and that they are so intimately close that they have become one and need not share many words. I know that is what this couple was experiencing. As that thought came over me I realized her hand wasn't resting on her lap or on the arm rest on the wheel chair. Instead, she was reaching over towards her Groom. I even stood up to see if what I inferred was true, and it was...they were holding hands. It melted my heart. Something about an older couple holding hands just gets me. And, it wasn't just me that this small act of love touched. I noticed that everyone that walked past them gave them a smile with a little twinkle in their eye. I then thought, "I bet they have no idea why everyone is so giddy and cheerful towards them. I bet the simple fact that they are holding hands doesn't even come across their minds as something unique." Isn't it true. Or at least I think in my little bubble of the world, I find it unique to see a healthy, strong marriage. And, to see this one that had stood the test of time with two people who were still affectionate towards one another really got my attention. That is what I want! I don't just want my marriage to last a lifetime; I want it to be a fulfilling partnership that lasts a lifetime! This is something that takes effort and purposefulness on our part! It is so easy to get used to the daily grind of waking up, going to work, taking care of the kids, going to bed, and repeat. TW and I have made it a habit to make the time once a week to date each other. Thursdays are usually our date nights and we don't let hardly anything get in the way of our night together! If their is a major conflict then we switch it to a different night. It used to be our goal to go on a date night once a month...well that never happened. Then one week we just said WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS! And, we haven't missed it since. We don't let the kids' schedules get in the way. Sitters or Grandparents can get them to dance or to different activities that they might have. We try to remember that we were together first and we must prioritize each other first. Not always easy, but we do it. Now I don't want to paint some perfect, blissful picture! Some dates are great loaded with tons of conversation and lots of laughter and others are filled with the tough discussions that need to happen. But, either way we are building intimacy. Disagreements, when worked through properly, can bring us closer together than a night full of laughs. The key is the time together! My challenge to you is to carve out some time for your spouse or special loved one! Begin with the end in mind! Don't get stuck in the daily grind of life! Date one another! Take the lead if hubby doesn't! I think that in the end of our lives we will all be glad we did this!