“Marriage is a fine institution…. if you don’t mind spending the rest of your life in an institution, that is.” – Trey Lampley

This weekend Adriene and I celebrated our fifth anniversary. It really does seem like yesterday that I was musing that I might never find the right person and get married, and yet here we are, five years later and still cruising along. We celebrated the date by getting a hotel in the Lenox area of Atlanta and went to see Narnia On Saturday, I indulged Adriene with a trip to Lenox Mall to indulge her for final shopping for Christmas gifts. Of course, it wouldn’t be right to celebrate our marriage without finishing things off at Cafe Intermezzo for coffee.

During the day, we reflected on how much things have changed in our relationship. We don’t have the “butteflies” in the stomach like you do in a young romance as much anymore, but we do have a familiarity and comfort around each other that really keeps us coming back to each other. It’s a long, slow burn, and we’re enjoying every minute of it. We also reflected on how much God has given us. Sure, there are things that we wish for and things we want to happen, but it’s hard to not feel blessed. We have a happy marriage, a safe home, jobs that we don’t complain about (much), and good families. We are happy and content.

This weekend was also my parents’ anniversary. They are just short of 40 years of marriage (in a couple years, we’re going to have think of something really cool to do for my parents’ anniversary) If I think my marriage has changed in five years, I can’t imagine how much everything will have changed in this time that they have been married. It gives me good perspective and gives me pause.

Lots to ponder deep in the skyscrapers and among the twinkling lights on trees and decorations about the city. It’s been a good weekend.