Love must be learned, and learned again and again; there is no end to it. ~ Katherine Anne Porter

My marriage, like most relationships, is not simple. There are budgets to balance, cars to repair and children to raise. Life marches on, for better or for worse, no matter how much our hearts want things to slow down so we can savor romantic love a little more often.

After 27 years with Mary Beth, it’s been our ability to cope, react and rely on faith that’s seen us through the dark patches. And in life’s bittersweet and ironic way, it’s been these dark patches that has allowed our love to grow the most..

The love we know today is a different flavor than it was in 1984. Our love is now nestled inside a quiet confidence; its passion is more deliberate. Our love sees the finish line and knows it will make it there.

But with more time left before we get to that finish line, Mary Beth and I still work on our marriage every day. Some days we connect like two perfectly-fitted puzzle pieces, and on other days we retreat to separate corners to find the strength to love another day. However on all days, we are committed to making our love work because we know it can.

10 simple, but beautiful things I know about love.
There’s still more to learn about love – life’s lessons aren’t over yet; but after 27 years l do know certain things, certain truths, about love and I know these things are simply beautiful:

1. There is no better feeling than love.
2. Love requires practice every day.
3. Enjoy the moment with your love; it’s the only one that is guaranteed.
4. Love will change you for the better.
5. Love brings both happiness and pain – and it’s from both the bond is created.
6. Scoreboards don’t work.
7. Love’s intent is to complement you; not complete you.
8. Loving yourself isn’t selfish; it’s required to make the relationship balanced and strong.
9. Let go to let love grow.
10. The way to lasting love comes through forgiveness.

Sometimes the simple path to knowing love is by taking a moment to understand its remarkable strength. While love may feel fragile at times, if treated with care, it may bend, but it won’t break.

Mary Beth and I will continue finding ways to balance the family’s budget; we’ll get her car in the shop soon enough; and we’ll always be committed to giving our children what they need.

We know, more than ever, through all of these responsibilities will be the presence of something that is stronger than the most difficult problem; something that will see us to the finish line; and something that is simply beautiful.

We know our love may bend at times, but it won’t break.

What is A Simple Path?

This post is in A Simple Path, a twice-weekly series of short pieces inspired by my own life experiences. Each post is a simple path to experiencing something wonderful: maybe seeing life from a different perspective, or celebrating its beauty. Click here to read all posts in the series.