Hi Honey. Happy Anniversary. Yes, I’ve just announced it to the world. But, it’s better than shouting about our love from a rooftop, cause you know how I like to trip and fall from high places. Each year I tell you that I love you more than the last. If this trend continues, I might have to grow a larger heart. The number of years that have passed since we said our I do’s doesn’t really matter. What matters is that we’ve stuck it out, shared each others joys, and cut each others sorrows in half. I’m so proud to call you my husband. Love you, T
I’ve talked to many couples who say their love grows deeper over the years. I never understood how this could be true…there has to be a limit on marital love…doesn’t there?
I’ve recently concluded that the answer is no – there is no limit on love.
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A few years ago, my mom got sick. After about 18 months worth of doctor visits we discovered that at age 59, she had a fast-progressing, disabling illness. As kids, we knew our parents loved each other, but from the kid perspective, you never really know how much. You just don’t want to think of your parents that way.
Over the past few years, I’ve watched my dad care for my mom. He sees past the illness and sees the her. Not the her that she was. The her that she is. I can see it in his eyes when he looks at her. I can hear it in his words when he tells her that he loves her and that she’s beautiful. I can feel it in the air when he lifts her out of bed. While others may only see a patient or the memory of someone they used to call friend, or aunt, or neighbor, he still sees his wife, his love. To me, that is the sign of a perfect love.
My Dad has been a great role model, and I can only wish that my own marriage will continue to progress towards a perfect love. Of course I believe it is a forever kind of love and as perfect as it can be, but after several more decades, how can I even begin to imagine how deep our love may become.
I don’t think there is any such a thing as the perfect marriage. However, for those who are lucky enough to find their Mr. or Mrs. Wonderful, I think we should all strive towards a perfect love.
Do you believe that love can grow deeper with time?
The Chameleon's Backbone 
Posted by Jill on August 24, 2010 at 10:54 pm
I too do not believe there is a limit to love of any kind. I’ve been married for almost 10 years now and can hardly believe how much MORE I love my husband with each passing moment.
Congratulations on your anniversary! Cheers to you and your husband for many more happy years together.
Posted by Tracy on August 25, 2010 at 2:23 am
Thanks so much! I checked out your blog and see that you’re also from Pittsburgh. We tried a new (for us) restaurant on the South Side to celebrate. I love trying new places and always hope for the best. So much to try and do in the City!
Posted by Scargosun on August 25, 2010 at 12:13 am
I think love does deepen over time but the changes can be interpreted incorrectly. Maybe they are over interpreted maybe they don’t get paid attention to enough at all. What I think is that it needs to be tended and nurtured in order to grow. It takes work and not everyone wants to do that work. As a matter of fact, there is probably only about 50% of people work at their marriages…about the same as the divorce rate.
Posted by Laura on August 25, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Congrats on the long marriage and happy anniversary!!
I think long term relationships last because two people are able to see beyond the surface. Meaning, what some may feel as “I don’t get paid attention to enough” they might fail to look at what that person is doing to show their love in other ways. I think in long term relationships each person is able to maybe look outside the box and say “My needs are not being met the way I want them to, but what am I doing to meet my partners needs”
It’s about give and take and realizing that relationships have ebbs and flows. That one of the reasons the love grows deeper is the trust in knowing that there will be moments in life where I can’t meet your needs the way you need me to, but that you are still here waiting for the moment where I can.
Congrats to you on finding that.
Posted by Katie @ Health for the Whole Self on August 25, 2010 at 8:38 pm
While I can’t actually imagine loving my husband more than I already do, I do believe that it’s possible for our love to grow and multiply throughout the years. That’s the exciting part – I love him SO much now, it’s crazy to think how much more I will love him once we’re weathered more storms together, shared more joys, etc.
Posted by Babs on August 26, 2010 at 12:13 am
Happy Aniversary! Lots of love sent your way from the both of us in the south.
I must share with you that while I was trying to locate the MIA aunt & uncle before your dad’s surgery, I mentioned to the Philly twins (who were both at the same dinner table with the MIA couple) that you were coming up on one of those momumentous birthdays. Each of them during our conversaition said, “OMG Tracy’s going to be 30!”
You will be enternally youthful to us. Perhaps this means that those of us who are approaching or just past that 50 milestone are in complete denial of our chronological age! We are still very young at heart ourselves and therefore you will always be younger. We have chosen to ignore the fact that we can look back and do the math.
Posted by Renee on August 27, 2010 at 9:38 pm
I cried.