growing

We've been getting a lot of compliments lately about our marriage.

Living in Salem has been interesting because it's my hometown, and many of my friends are here. So, we have ended up spending a lot of time with my friends, mostly single girls.

A lot of our single friends have told us that they really enjoy hanging out with us because we never make them feel like a "3rd wheel." And my friends tell me repeatedly how much they love Michael and really respect our relationship and marriage: how we treat each other, how we act around others, our views on money and on life.

Michael and I have also been noticing that this year has been really good for us. We have grown a lot. The other day we played tennis. I am terrible at tennis, having never played it in high school. I used to be really stubborn and would always get frustrated when we would play because I wouldn't want to admit that I wasn't really getting it and that I needed help. But, the other day we went to play and Michael made the comment that it feels like we've really grown in our patience because I was more more receptive to him helping me and to just playing in general.

It's been a wonderful and quick year here in Salem.

Candle and Prayer

We've committed to praying about the future and grad school every night for 30 days. We light a candle and lay in bed and pray. It's been really meaningful. I think it could be a cool thing to continue to do all the time. Somehow lighting the candle makes it feel a little more sacred and intentional. And we both feel like God is blessing this time and continuing to give us clarity.

one more...

The best part about all the items we enjoy together is that it all has to do with EATING! We are such FOOD people!!!

We are also sleeper-inners.

Yesterday was a fun day of naming things that we really enjoy together. Throughout the day we found ourselves making statements that consisted of the line, "We are such ______ people."

In the morning we woke up and made French Toast. One of our favorite meals. After talking about our love of all things breakfast I declared:

"We are such breakfast people."

After breakfast we made our daily Americanos. Instantly...

"We are such coffee people!"

It wasn't until late that night when we were grocery shopping that the final declaration came. We found ourselves down our favorite aisle, drooling over the newest flavors and the best deals when we both began laughing and said...

"We are such ice cream people."

Thanks Melissa for enjoying the same things as I do, it makes eating, drinking, and desserting a whole lot easier.

Do-over...

Sometimes in our blog-life, as in marriage, we need do-overs. This is one of thos times.