“I consider myself one of the most fortunate women alive. Why? Because I am totally married to a man in every sense of the word; physically, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually. We’re so close that you couldn’t put a knife blade between us. I need him and depend on him completely. He completely needs and depends on me. We’re not two lonely, competing individuals. We’re one integrated, mutually responsive, mutually supportive organism – and this is such a marvelous and joyous thing that nothing else in life can even approach it. It’s the greatest of all adventures.”

~The Adventure of being a Wife by Mrs. Normal Vincent Peale

On May 3^rd, 2003, Ryan and I stood in front of our family and friends and pledged our commitment to each other, to be faithful, until our Father in Heaven calls us home. “Where you go, I will go, where you stay, I will stay, your people will be my people, and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16.  Fourteen years later, that same commitment included selling everything and moving onto a boat. I committed to working beside my husband, even when I couldn’t visualize the opportunistic potential he could; I trusted and respected his leadership anyway. Our commitment was a safety net where I could be honest about my struggles and fears of the unknown, which we then tackled, together.

I guess I’m writing this because, I’d love to encourage brides to study their man. Know him better than he knows himself, and to anticipate his needs. In helping my husband build our home, I was an encourager and grunt worker until I learned to use the chop saw and nail gun and finished planking the walls and furniture. I was with him. Ryan never drew me blueprints I wanted so desperately to see. Instead, we were each other’s sounding boards as we problem solved each puzzle piece phase of construction.

My perspective has changed from a desire to “impress others” with my home, to viewing stuff as just stuff and the best things in life, aren’t things that can be bought. In 14 years, Ryan and I have been through many trials and valleys of differing depths, but our covenant to each other remains the same. Marrying at the ages of 19 and 20, our goal has always been to make it to celebrate our 80^th anniversary.  Living on a boat is just a new chapter in our adventure together!