Perfectly Weird: Matched Set

Daily Gratitude Year 5-Day 266: Today, I am grateful for matched sets.

"We're all a little weird, and life's a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up and fall in mutual weirdness and call it LOVE." -Dr. Seuss

This is such a fun quote.  For us, it has been a summer of weddings, beginning with our first born son marrying the girl who is perfect for him. They are such a good fit, it makes us smile after we have spent any time with them. 

In fact, three neighborhood kids married this summer, including one today, we won't be able to attend. We will be at a very special family wedding with my cousin, Carol, and her first beautiful first born daughter, Devon. In a couple of weeks there is one more, making five wedding where we have shared in the joy of uniting two lives in the God-sealed covenant of marriage in just a few months. 

Now, a matched set doesn't mean exactly alike, but it means we fit. Isn't that feeling of "you get me" the best kind of all. You don't have to explain, because they know what you are thinking. Complimentary quirks and core values that say, "On this crazy ride called life, I want you by my side. Neither of us is perfect, but you are perfect for me. 

As I reflect on our 32 years... 30 married... I am in awe of God's blessing. We are so different and so alike. He knows my mind and I know his. We finish each other's sentences are stop midway through because there is no need to finish. We speak what the other is thinking. We laugh at the same things. We when the other hurts. We protect each other, push each other's buttons (one of us does this for fun) and guard each other's hearts. 

I am confident, there are those who find us "weird", but are glad we found each other. Together is the best place to be. My heart still does a little leap when he gets home. He has left work on a stressful day in the managment years declaring that he was "going home... where the people like him." I fell in love with him all over again on that day. 

In our uniqueness, we all need a sanctuary of safety. A quiet place of camaraderie. God designed marriage to be a reflection of his love. The pleasure in unity... being one... on so many levels. From the physical to the spiritual side that involves our souls. Yes. Together is better. 

"and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one," -Mark 10:8

Marriage was designed to be a blood covenant. God is serious when blood is shed. That is why he truly designed "the marriage bed" to be. Think about it. It is counter culture... but so many good and special things are. 

Together - we can do more, endure more, build each other up and it makes celebration day... like today... even sweeter. 

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. -Romans 5:3-4

Today... we celebrate Devon and Michael... Ashley and James... on the day they become one. We are grateful for newlyweds Chase and Emma along with Ashley and Clayton... and Alexis and Joseph's special day still ahead. 

New engagements mean more celebrations ahead. Love is always the best choice. We can be whole and vibrant as singles... and it is better to be single than marry the wrong person... but when we find our own kind of weirdo, it is sweet. 

Today, I am grateful for matched sets.