In Sickness and Health

This has been a crazy week. Last weekend we had family down to celebrate Superbowl Sunday, a belated Christmas and January birthdays. We had an amazing weekend, it was so great to see everyone and Zoey loved playing with her cousins. By Monday they had all gone, and I felt fulfilled but exhausted. I think that might  be why I got so sick.

On Monday night into Tuesday morning, I spent much of my time over the toilet puking my guts out. Gross, right? It didn't feel too hot either. I couldn't figure out what it could be. I thought maybe food poisoning or maybe I literally just ate too much greasy food over the weekend, but it seemed more than that.

My cousin suggested "norovirus," basically the "24 hour flu." I think she was right. I have no idea where I would have gotten it from, but about 24 hours later I was fine. However, those 24 hours sucked.

I am very thankful that my wonderful husband was able to stay home and take care of me and more importantly watch after Zoey because I could not. Even though he wasn't feeling 100% either, he did. He was there when I broke down and there when I was getting dehydrated and there to make we smile as I started feeling better.

Me and my husband, Stephen

I remembered thinking at some point in my day of sickness that I used to lean on my mom to make me better when I was sick. But now it feels so comfortable to rely on my husband. We've been together for 7 years now and married for going on 5 of those, he really is my family now. It's amazing how that transition seems so smooth when it is the right choice.

There are lots of things said about marriage, good and bad. I happen to love marriage and love being married. I couldn't imagine life without my husband and my family. We are both our own individuals and one unit at the same time. Sure I love to get out and do my own thing, but when I'm tired of people and want to be "alone," I never mind that my husband is there with me because he is simply an extension of myself.

And this weekend, I was glad that he was here for me and he loved me so much that we could sit on the couch and watch awesome sitcoms because it made me happy.

If I were to say anything about marriage it is this. Wait for that person that will be by their side and they by yours for better or worse, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer, til death do you part. Those aren't just words recited for the masses to hear, they are a promise to each other and to God. We did not even say those words at our wedding, we made our own vows with our own promises and professions of love. But I still hold those traditional words to be true.

photo credit

There are always ups and downs in life. Wait for that person who you can truly be yourself around, who loves you for your strengths and your weaknesses and who stands by your side no matter what. Wait for that person who will sit with you and love you even when you are sick.

If you are waiting a long time, it's okay. God always provides the people you need to get you through tough times, if you let him. It could be a significant other at the time, a friend, a neighbor, your family and even your mom. Enjoy your life how it is right now, not thinking it would be better if it were different. Be happy just being you.

God is still teaching me many things, patience being at the top of my list, but I thank God everyday for the wonderful man he sent to me, to love me, all the day of our lives.