I spent the entire week with Lea in Honduras. I loved working and serving with my wife. Together we built houses, fed hungry people and worked in a medical clinic. Although we worked together and spent time together, we were more teammates this past week than we were husband and wife. In fact, I told her once this past week, “I’ve seen you all week, but I don’t feel like we’ve spent any time together.” What I missed last week were the little things like our quiet time we have every day over a cup of coffee.
By the time I got to our seat at church this morning, things weren’t looking much better. Three kids had already placed themselves between Lea and where I was supposed to sit… right next to her. Despite the commotion it might cause, I made the decision that I was going to make all those kids scoot down just so I could sit by my wife. It was worth it.
When I finally got the seat I wanted, next to Lea, she scooted right up next to me. Then she put her hand under my arm and put her hand on my hand. Right then I felt them … even after 22 years of marriage they were still there. What were they? Butterflies in my stomach.
I hope they never leave.
I am a Christian husband and father, who moonlights as the minister for the church of Christ in Childress, Texas. My wife Lea and I have been married for 23 years. We are doing our best to raise our 4 boys, who are all growing up way too fast.
I am so grateful you openly share your feelings for your wife.
You and Lea give me hope……
At times society’s negativity about marriage can be overwhelming.
I listen to my friends’ berate their husbands publicly. I read “private” blogs where people ‘secretly’ air their marital, dirty laundry. (And sometimes their secret affairs!)
I watch husband’s make jokes at their wife’s expense, behind their backs and too their faces. I have spent time with couple’s who openly argue ~ believing that is the only way they can communicate.
But I keep ‘hoping’ that these people are “wrong” and “are missing it”.
I guess you could say I am a ‘realistic romantic’ ~ I realize “Once upon a time’s” and “Happily ever after’s” are not real ~ and that glass slippers break. I gave up praying for Mr. Right a long time ago. Now I simply wait on Mr. Right-On-Time ~knowing that he will arrive ~ right on time. I have to trust, that the ultimate Matcher-Maker (who knows me & M.R.O.T. best) will not let me down! (SMILE)
I refuse to give up the hope that one day, this little caterpillar, will give someone butterflies!
~ Maggie Beth
((PS)) ~ Hey! If Mr. Right-On-Time decides he wants to become Mr. Maggie, we will fly Lea and Mr. Fancy Pant’s in…(SMILE)…
You got a deal on that PS
I wish I could find that kind of love. You two are anawesome couple and such a wonderful example of what a marriage should be.Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Vicki … I’m very blessed. Like everyone else, we’ve have our struggles, but we refuse to give up.
That is one of our rules of children. They are welcome on or beside us but not between.
Great rule.
It great to here story like yours. THANK YOU LORD FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU GUYS. THANK YOU FOR SERVING THE LORD AND SHOWING IT
Thanks, Zane. I miss you guys.
Beautiful story.
um…pretty much the cutest thing ever
I’m so glad ya’ll all made it back. I only got to talk to my mom for a minute but I could tell she absoutely loved it and I know ya’ll changed the world for the people you touched
You mom is awesome.
Remind me to look for those butterfly feelings
Awww!! I absolutely love this post
I know the feeling of seeing someone but not feeling like you’ve seen them.
I get them, too. Not when you sit with Lea, but when my wife slides her hand in mine. And it’s only been 42 years of togetherness (35 married) with us! I hope we always have butterflies.
Trey
That is very encouraging to hear. Great post, it just seems like you don’t hear about the success stories often enough, thanks for sharing. My wife and I have been married 19 years and I feel the same about her. You should check out a song by Jack Johnson called Better Together. I think you’ll like it.
I loved your article!! I have even better news!! After almost 37 years Don still gives me butterflies, and I hope it never changes! You are doing a great work for the Lord! Keep it up!
Cynthia … exactly how it should be.
Tell Don I said “hello.”