originally posted July 23, 2009

Believe it or not, I haven’t felt very romantic lately.  Disappointments, unexpected news, interruptions, sickness, accidents – Life!  It happens to all of us at one time or another.  For some it can seem like a revolving door of trouble.  Who feels like romance then?  Certainly not me – that is left to myself.

This is why we must have a conviction of pursuing our spouses romantically, so we won’t be led by the urgent.  Instead we will commit our lives to that which is most important.  Circumstances are ever changing;  Children grow up and move away;  Jobs and addresses change; But for all our days in this life our spouses will be there “for better or worse”.

Romance isn’t only for the “better” days.  It is actually more meaningful on the worst of days.  It has been my experience whenever Tom and I are facing huge difficulties in our relationship, the simple act of him lighting a candle and drawing a hot bath for me carries much more meaning than when all is fine in our world.  Why?  Because I know this time he is loving me even when I don’t deserve it.   How like our Savior this is – at our worst He pursued us and loved us.   And it’s moments like these that my defenses drop and my heart is drawn to my husband despite my feelings.

Romance isn’t only about planning great dates (although we love this part of it).  It’s about expressing love to one another in the midst of a busy life – the good, the bad and the ugly!