8 Years

06/14/2011

Happy Anniversary, Jason. You are my best friend, my biggest encourager, my rock. You make me laugh and feel loved like no one else. I think we’re a great team. Like peanut butter and jelly, you and me. I’m so glad to be by your side on this crazy adventure! I’ll forever be your wifey and you’ll always be my right hand man.

All photos by Beth Rose Photography bethrose.com

(One more photo and “8 Things We’ve Learned in 8 Year” here.)

A funny story about how we celebrated our anniversary will be coming tomorrow.


2 Comments | Art, Family, Family: Jason, Family: Me | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by mahlbrandt

Free Marriage Advice: 8 Things We’ve Learned in 8 Years

06/08/2011

(Photo above is by Beth Rose Photography. Hopefully I’ll have a bunch more to share from this shoot soon!)

As our 8th wedding anniversary approaches (it’s Tuesday!) I thought I’d share some nuggets of marriage goodness Jason and I have gathered the past few years. In our opinion, we have a pretty awesome marriage. We’re not marriage experts but you get what you pay for! Here we go:

1. Share a sink
Now, if your master bathroom already has two sinks you might as well use them. But Jason and I always thought it was pretty silly when some couples go through a lot of trouble to make sure they each have their own sink. We also have one relatively small closet. It’s about sharing. It’s about moderation. These are important values to us.

2. Turn off the car radio
Actually, it rarely gets turned on in the first place when we’re together. It’s not a “rule” but just something that we’ve gotten in the habit of. Jason and I have had most of our best discussions in the car. The uninterrupted alone time is precious and perfect for debating, dreaming and digging into important issues.

3. Do home repairs together
Not only do DIY projects save money and increase our skills, they force us to work together as a team. Sometimes we get frustrated, grumpy, tired but we’re able to encourage each other, brainstorm and troubleshoot, and ultimately celebrate our finished project together.

4. Don’t let each other get away with crap
We have chosen to lovingly, gently hold each other accountable. It’s been a process learning the “lovingly, gently” part of this and even more so, how to receive the constructive criticism without defensiveness. It’s one of the greatest gifts we have given each other. No one cares more about your personal success than your spouse.

The next 4 are things we were told before we got married so we can’t take any credit for these ideas:

5. Go on date nights
I think it was my parents that suggested this. Even though we don’t have kids yet, date nights have proven to be worth the extra commitment on our budget sheet. Sometimes we really just need some time away together that doesn’t involve work (dishes, cooking, tiling, gardening, etc.). We always come back home feeling more in love.

6. Pray together / pray for each other
“Couples that pray together, stay together” is the old saying and apparently it’s statistically true, too. I can’t say we’re great at making time to pray together but praying for each other is a huge priority in our house. It means so much to me when I catch Jason praying over me at night (when he thinks I’m sleeping). And I know it blesses him knowing that I get up early most mornings and spend time praying for him in his studio.

7. Be the first to say you’re sorry
Because being right and holding your ground really isn’t worth it.

8. Don’t quit your marriage
Way to end on a high note, huh? Seriously, I think all marriage couples have times—fights, incidents, rough patches—that make us want to just walk out the door and never look back. Humans are selfish by nature. We want what we want, when we want it. We’ve never allowed divorce or separation to be an option worth considering. It’s just out of the question for us. We have to make a choice to resist selfishness everyday and to put each other above ourselves. That is love.

4 Comments | Family, Family: Jason, Family: Me | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by mahlbrandt

Seven

06/14/2010

Seven years. Today is Jason’s and my 7th wedding anniversary. Something feels significant about this one. I’m not sure why. Maybe because of the 7 year itch. Maybe the Biblical significance of the number 7.

We decided to celebrate yesterday (thank God because I’m actually sick today–which is why I’m posting so late.) I didn’t have my camera so sorry, no pictures. We had a romanic date – a picnic dinner (Buca di Beppo ToGo) at the park while listening to the Nashville Symphony.

[Warning … much sappiness to follow:]

I feel very blessed to be Jason’s wife. He’s an incredible man—thoughtful, sensitive, hard-working, talented, funny, handsome, creative, loving, faithful, sweet, protective, optimistic, passionate. On top of all that he loves to garden, cook and keep a clean house (don’t be jealous!). And of course, we share a love of mid-century modern design and vintage collectibles which means we get to enjoy our hobby together.

Jason, thank you for being my husband. I love you more than anything in the world! This has been quite a year…

I loved being with you as you stepped faithfully into the world of being a fully self-employed musician. It’s been a great time of stretching and learning to trust God completely. He has never let us down. I loved being able to encourage you and pray you through that transition.

I loved watching you become proud “Uncle” Jason when our closest friends had babies. I loved witnessing your heart melt over and over again each time you held little Ben or Mikaelyn. I know you’ll make an awesome daddy and seeing you in that “uncle” role makes me so look forward to that day!

You hate this picture with the rainbow umbrella but I think you look sexy! I loved having you by my side through way-too-many social engagements and family get-togethers this year. Do you ever wish we could just sneak off and be alone for a few weeks? (Seriously, though, we love all of our friends and family!)

I loved hunting through estate sales, thrift stores, antique stores and yard sales with you searching out diamonds in the rough. We found a lot of good ones this year!

I loved working on our master bathroom renovation with you. (OK, I didn’t love every part of it, but I’m glad we did it ourselves and I think we make a pretty awesome team.) I appreciate how hard you worked, often spending several more hours after I gave up and went to bed. It was always a nice surprise to wake up and check out how much progress was made overnight.

I loved working in the garden with you … but mostly watching you work in the garden. But thanks for teaching me how to love and take care for plants, for making our yard beautiful and for accepting requests to plant whatever I want — raspberries, daisies, blueberries, zinnia etc. — even though you do 95% of the work.

I loved how you dropped everything during and after the flood so you could focus all your energy on helping our friends. I loved how you never once complained about how tired you were or your lose of income and work time. You are a good friend and I love that about you.

I loved watching you play guitar on stage, at church, at home and even by the campfire. (And I love how you stand on your toes when you sing!) I loved watching you change into a supporting role of lead guitarist, producer and engineer whenever necessary to help grow the careers of other musicians. I love your heart to serve others and your humility to honor others above yourself.


Obviously, I could go on and on about how much I love you and how much I love being your wife and the great privilege it is to be by your side through this life. Thank you for seven wonderful years. I’m looking forward to the next 70!

PS. Also, thank you for being the designated meat griller, spider killer and jar opener. You’re my hero! And, I’m glad I’ll always be the wife of your youth. 😉

4 Comments | Family, Family: Jason | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by mahlbrandt

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