We stay married for the kids. And because we’re in love.

My five year-old Josh is a bit of a romantic and often has questions about how marriage works.  The other night he asked me “Mom, why does Daddy call you babe?”  I said, “It’s just something nice to call someone you love. What do you think you’ll call your wife someday?”  Josh pondered that for a minute and answered,   “Well. . . I think I will call her hot dog.”  He does have pretty strong feelings about how great hot dogs are, so I guess it makes sense.

As Brian and I approach our tenth anniversary this year I am ever conscious of the little eyes that watch our marital dynamics.  I want to be laying the groundwork for their marriages today as I treat my husband with love and respect.  I remember that during our days houseparenting at a children’s home I had one of the boys come to me and say, “Miss Maralee, I can tell when you’re really angry at Mr. Brian.”  I was concerned that even though we tried to keep things peaceful this child had sensed those times when we had conflict.  I asked him how he could tell and he said, “You get really serious and then you say, ‘Fine.  We’ll do it your way’.”  It’s amazing how sensitive kids are to conflict between parents!  I want my kids to know that marriage isn’t easy and there will be times of conflict, but the sacrifices we have made to have love and faithfulness in our home have been worth it.  When we love each other well even through trials, we honor God and imitate the love Christ has shown us.  And when Mommy and Daddy take care of each other and have a solid friendship, that makes life better for our kids, too.