When 2 Become 1

It's a beautiful thing, wouldn't you agree? God's unique and miraculous design of bringing two completely different human beings into a loving relationship and making them one! Don't start thinking too hard about that or your brain may start to ache. After all, we can't totally understand God's design. I'm okay with that. I'm satisfied knowing that I can trust that God's design is perfect and good, even when it's just too big for me to fully comprehend.

God's grace has been so real to me since I've been on the receiving end of the incredible blessing of marriage. Part of that blessing is the joy and hilariousness that comes along with being married to Tony. At the end of days like today I just can't help but smile and laugh.

When two become one it's not as if two sets of interests suddenly mold into one. That’s what keeps life so stinkin’ entertaining! I’m a better person today (particularly in the area of athletics) than I was 3 years ago because I’ve been challenged by a husband whose interests…well, they just aren’t all the same as mine. Thankfully, we share a number of interests. Thankfully we each brought unique interests to our marriage.

Today’s entertainment made for a fun conglomeration of our interests. My interests were certainly satisfied by a good, long shopping trip to Von Maur and a trek through the mall. Is there a better store than Von Maur? I’m not sure there could be. We hardly ever make our way over to the mall Von Maur is at, so I’ve really missed it. Don’t let me fool you, it’s not my intent to pretend as if I spend a ton of time and money shopping…not the lot the Lord dealt this lady. :) I grew up tagging alongside my Mom and cousin Heidi on many a shopping trip to Von Maur, and my life in rural Iowa has made me appreciate a trip to my favorite store all the more. Thankfully, my husband is incredibly sweet and patient and let me spend a LONG time browsing the sale racks – a great way to spend a day off. He even decided we should start a new tradition – Thanksgiving gifts, so he bought me a precious new dress and had it wrapped all beautifully for me to open thanksgiving day. Oops…I was supposed to forget what was in there.

From Von Maur we went on to Scheels. There’s nothing Tony really enjoys about shopping except going to Scheels (and spending time with me, of course). He could spend a good deal of time browsing their sale racks…and he did. We left with a Thanksgiving present for him (can’t tell what it is, he’s supposed to forget) and a new “winter” coat. Tony spends most of the winter in shorts, and his winter coat is what most of us would consider a wind breaker. I don’t understand, and I’ve realized I never will. His new winter coat is what most of us would call a fleece. Better than a windbreaker, I suppose, and he looks good in it.

After dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings, we hit the road. We got home at about 7:30 or 8 and my poor hubby was about stir crazy after a day of shopping. It was pitch black out, super windy, and the temp was in the 40s. The perfect tennis playing weather, right? Brrrrrrrr! This is where I find the whole “2 become 1 thing” to be so amusing. I felt obliged, after my kind husband pretended to enjoy shopping all day, to say yes (and say it enthusiastically) when he asked, “Hey Cari, want to go play tennis?” I bundled up from head to toe, grabbed my racquet and hiked up the street with Tony for a few games of tennis under the lights. It was incredibly fun. Something I never would have done if my life had not been joined with Tony’s. I’m thankful for that.

This whole post reminds me so much of some of the stories my Grandma Lois has shared with me about her marriage. I never had the opportunity to meet my Grandpa Victor, but Grandma Lois keeps his memory alive by telling us stories of him often. She has told me a number of times that Vic encouraged her to try so many things that she never would have on her own. I really appreciated that perspective going into marriage. Now I understand what a beautiful thing she shared with Vic, and I get to share with Tony.