Copyright: The Romantic Vineyard
I had a moment this past week, which was an unexpected blessing. We had been at a friend’s home celebrating the engagement of their daughter. The sun had set as we were gathering our things to leave. Opening the front door is when it happened.
The air was filled with the sweetest aroma. It was familiar. I took a deep breath, remembered and smiled. My grandparents owned a couple of large orange groves in Clermont, FL, from 1922. to the early 1980’s when they were lost to a couple of freezes. I grew up playing in the groves. The sweet scent of orange blossoms were part of these precious memories as were eating tangerines picked from the tree while playing hide and go seek with my siblings and cousins. It was a fun childhood.
Easter was the BEST. That was when the family always gathered for the best food and the biggest Easter Egg Hunt. But what I remember most was the aroma. If you’ve never smelled an orange tree in full bloom, you don’t know what you’re missing; words simply can’t describe it!
What does this have to do with marriage? Nothing, really. 🙂 But this was one of those little moments we’ve been encouraging you to notice. The things you might miss if you were not paying attention. And these are the moments we are hoping you will share with us. If you do so by midnight tonight…we will enter your name in our monthly drawing for a gift card to the restaurant of your choice. Not a bad deal for slowing down long enough to enjoy those special memories and/or accomplishments.
So, have at it! If you’ve forgotten until now – you still have tonight to remember and celebrate – then, tell us about it by commenting on this post. We cannot wait to hear and celebrate with you! We’ll announce our winner tomorrow.
The Romantic Vineyard 
It might not be much but last night, my husband, our son and I were all seated on the couch hanging out…son is almost 16 so his presence and desire to hang with H and I is a pretty good reason to celebrate in and of itself. H and I had been discussing work related opportunities and changes and I had just brought him a glass of wine and grabbed one for myself.
I raised my glass and toasted the fact that I had finished the paperwork required for a new career goal and the fact that after 11 days of teeth whitening I could drink tea in the mornings again. He toasted the little slice of blue sky on the horizon and said “As much as I love the cold and the rain; spring and boating are on their way and I love that too.” Son, with the full carton of apple juice (he’s the only one who drinks it and I pick my battles) toasted the fact that school will be out in fewer than 60 days and added that he loved his boating time “more.”
This is significant for us because a year ago my husband and I were like “really excellent roommates.” to quote Date Night. Without our awareness we had let other people and priorities rob us of our emotional closeness. Between sports schedules, college applications for our daughters and internet distractions a plenty, this happy little domestic scene would never have happened a year ago. Now with your help and that of other marriage blogs we take these moments daily.
So the “Here’s to us!” that I am really celebrating is the renewed closeness and joy my husband and I get from each other and the little things like a patch of blue sky on a March evening.
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Barbara – what an amazing evening. Thank you for noticing this “everyday moment,” and thank YOU for sharing it with us!
Debi
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This may sound a bit odd but my “here’s to us” moment happened last night. My DH and I returned from a 6 day vacation earlier this week. It was a great time with 2 other couples who are very dear friends. We stayed in a nice hotel, ate at great restaurants and saw a great show. Anyway, last night my husband walked in the door from work. I stopped what I was doing and went to him for a hug and a kiss, our normal routine. What struck me though was this, it was so good to be in our home, together. Vacations are a nice treat but just to be at home, with my Beloved, was my “here’s to us” moment.
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Annie – this isn’t “odd” at ALL. This is exactly the kind of moments we are hoping our readers will start noticing and posting about in our comments. Congratulations for getting it. We pray you will continue to notice these seemingly everyday moments worth celebrating!
Debi
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Our “here’s to us” moment happened in the middle of the night! A few nights ago, my husband and I were asleep. He only half-way woke up at around 2 a.m. and randomly leaned over the bed and started kissing me. I stirred awake, and we were passionately making out… which lead to an amazing lovemaking session! (In the middle of the night!) The next morning, hubby couldn’t remember why he had woken up or what provoked it… but we both agreed that we certainly enjoyed it! It was a completely random and amazing night!!!
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This makes me *smile*. Those moments can’t be manufactured, but when they happened they are most CERTAINLY worth celebrating!!! Thanks for sharing!!
Debi
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I am currently enjoying our moment together. It’s nothing big but it is getting to sit next to my hubby for 6 hours straight in the car and enjoy his company. I know it doesn’t sound like much but we don’t get to see each other much so it means the world!! Oh yeah and I also get to spend the WHOLE weekend with him (and family)!!!!!!! Yay! Thank you Lord for the reminders of everything we take for granted!
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So, I’ve been kinda grumpy today but my “here’s to us” moment would have to be the many ways my husband has turned the other cheek today. I’ve been pretty argumentative today and since my H works from home, there was no real escape for him! But he’s been patient and loving which of course, helps me be less grumpy and tremendously grateful for such an understanding Sweetheart.
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What a blessing is a husband who “lives with his wife in an understanding way.” Thank you, Joye, for sharing your special moment with us!
Debi
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Today, listening to a friend tell me how she was so tired because she and her boyfriend were spending every moment they could together, while visiting, which meant getting very little sleep. It made me remember when my husband and I were dating and stayed up way too late, just to talk or even just to sit and look at eachother, cherishing every moment. I’m grateful that now, when we say good night, we don’t have to leave eachother anymore.
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Emily, I remember well the wonderful feeling it was to no longer have to say “goodbye” to my husband. Being together is one of the best gifts of marriage. Thanks for entering!
Debi
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My husband and I are on the younger side of being parents to 3 (a 5 yr. old & twin 1 yr. olds). I was 21 and he 23 when we had our first daughter. You can sort of say that we rushed into getting married and having kids before we “really” got to know one another. So for the past 6 years it has been a journey, a roller coaster of marriage, trying to find out how we compliment each other, how we work best together and how we can come together as one.
My husband works very long hours 6 days a week so that I can be able to stay at home and raise our children. Needless to say that is a strain, never feeling like I have help. Its a hill that we have to hold hands and go over together. We have no family here in Florida, so we hardly ever have a date night, or even conversate face to face longer than 45 minutes.
Two months ago my husband had the scare(wake up call of his life)…he was told that he had prostate cancer! We all were in shocked, devastation over came our bodies, how could this happen to a 28 year old? For the next 7 days we went back and forth to doctors offices and hospitals…and each time we prayed, we held hands and walked through the doors with faith….faith that carried us through what seemed to be the utmost important days of our lives…on day 7 we recieved even more shocking news…my husbands tests were switched with that of a 79 year olds tests!! What?! Could this really be….
We were relieved and sadden at the same time…relieved that now I do not have to possibly explain to my children why their daddy has gone heaven, and saddened that now this 79 yr. old man that thinks he is as healthy as can be, now has cancer.
Our “Heres to Us” is that though it was only a 7 day hectic time…in those 7 days we have gotten so close, have learned each other so much….it has brought us now as one, more so than ever! Even though we are in fact young, we have made it thus far and we will continue to our last breaths….I feel this experience was OUR wake up call…to never take one for granted, always say I love you and never turn your back on something that is truely meant to be….
Thankyou for allowing me to share our story
Michelle
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Michelle, All I can say is, WOW! What a difficult 7 days!!! But what a lesson God walked you through. May God continue to strengthen your marriage and your love! Thank you for sharing – you brought tears to my eyes!
Debi
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I really appreciate that my work-from-home husband takes an hour for lunch, and he spends it with me. 🙂
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On Sunday, we lost my sweet step mother-in-law unexpectedly to a brain aneurysm. We were at my father-in-laws house that same day looking at old photo albums. Of course, there were photos of us from 18 years ago. Later as we drove home, my husband said to me, “wow, as I looked at those photos, I was thinking about how beautiful you were and that she is with me”. I still tell my hubby everyday how handsome I think he is and he also tells me I’m still pretty. It makes my heart flutter everytime.
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My husband and I dropped our kids off at youth group and headed to Panera Bread as usual on Wednesday night. We needed to finish watching the last DVD of “Love and Respect” by Emerson Eggerichs because it needed to be returned the next day. We sat down with our laptop, headphones, coffee and bagel and started watching. It was an uninterrupted hour that was precious to just the two of us, even in the middle of a loud restaurant. We were ministered to and learned how to be a better husband and wife to one another. I love spending time with my husband and any time we can get alone is wonderful!
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Our moment happened today, when we came home from a playdate. Some of the other moms were complaining about their husbands, and I came home soo thankful that I married the best man. We talked about how lucky we are that we have the same goals, same dreams. Just a great conversation that we both realized how lucky we are, at the same time!
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