Today, Erica and I celebrate 13 years of marriage.  We started dating 2 and a half years earlier, so we are celebrating around 15 and half years of being ‘together’.

Although, the first 6 months was a bit rough.  We weren’t necessarily only dating each other.  I was slow to make that dating commitment.  Looking back on that whole scenario, I don’t know how right that was.  I think the whole dating paradigm in our culture is messed up.  However, we are conditioning our kids from kindergarden to follow in our footsteps.  (but I digress)

Erica and I have a fantastic marriage.  We love each other deeply.  God has created in us a relationship that is authentic, raw, intimate.  We are best friends.  When I want to spend time with one person, it is Erica.

Over 13 years, we have traveled up and down on the path of relationship.   We have seen amazing personal success, friendships, God move in miracles.  We have received difficult phone calls, bad diagnosis, and tough conversations with parents.

We enjoy great conversation over delicious coffee.  We also wade through honest discussion on our insecurities and temptations.  Many days we laugh so hard that it hurts.  We pray together often as a couple and family.  There are times during some days that we really don’t like each other or want to talk to each other.  Sometimes, we raise our voice at each other.  We allow for some ‘cooling’ time and we always reconcile our differences and respect one another’s opinion.

I am sure that when we look back after 20 years or 30 years, I could read this blog and realize that I had ‘so much more to learn’.  I know that will happen. However, if I am going to travel that road and learn so much more, I want to go with Erica by my side.

+robin