Michael and I hamming it up in 2009, early 90’s senior photo style
He called me a writer long before I called myself one.
He encouraged me to take the space and get away to etch and tap words, to let my mind run free from the crumbs scattered across the counter and the little people across the floors. He told me my stories were worth telling, and that it didn’t matter what anyone thought or said or how I convinced myself otherwise because I was, in fact, a writer.
He’s a writer himself, but he doesn’t really know it.
Once I thought him a dreamer, seeking after far away visions of academia, but as the years wind on, I see that he is really a dream holder and that’s a whole different kind of story weaving.
It’s the kind unspoken and the kind in whispers across pillows and in the pantry with the door closed. When I’m doubt weary and wondering again why I plug away at this thing that causes me such joy and such angst, his storytelling is the kind that holds space and reminds me what’s true, helping me find steady ground with few words. “It’s ok, it’s only today” and “Take one thing at a time.” And he waits with me until I’m ready to go again, or not.
For the last twenty years, we’ve been writing a new kind of story, and we don’t know how it’s going to end, and sometimes we struggle to speak the same dream language, but we’ll continue setting feet in places of love and predictability while stumble stepping into spacious places of possibility.
We’ll take turns holding the lines and turns of phrase, and we’ll get bogged down in character development and plot points, and we’ll keep pressing on, heads down, eyes up, co-authors of this story.
_______
Happy 16th Anniversary to the man who lives out for me the meaning of grace and unconditional love, of commitment and perseverance. I am changed for the better each day I walk life with you. I love you, sweetheart.
This took me longer than five, but I’m still linking up with Five Minute Friday at Lisa-Jo Baker’s place where this week’s prompt is WRITER.
Connecting through the power of stories written, spoken and lived
Happy Anniversary, my friend! What a gift – to be married to a Dream Holder! (I have one of those too!) Love you!
Thank you, sweetheart. It is a huge blessing. It’s been a slow acknowledgment for me to truly recognize the gift of that quality…duh, right?
So beautiful Ashley, this way you have written about your marriage. I love the expansive, soft, separate yet intertwined way you describe your love…. Blessed be, always. Love, Kelly
Receiving your blessing with joy. Thank you, dear Kelly.
I sure love the story you two write! You are a gift to me, to my family, to my marriage. We love you so much! Happy anniversary!
Thank you, Sis. I so love how we receive the gifts of not only our own marriages, but those close to us. We’re so blessed by you. xoxo
Happy anniversary! What a beautiful gift you are to each other. And yes, you have a gift of writing, Ashley!!! This line expressed how I feel about my nearly 16 year marriage so well- “we’ll continue setting feet in places of love and predictability while stumble stepping into spacious places of possibility.”
Have I mentioned lately how blessed I am to know you? So very thankful!!!
You are the definition of an encourager, Becky. Grateful for you and for your loving words.
Happy Anniversary! We’re going to be celebrating our 16th in May. It’s a good year. ;) I love how you write, Ashley, about the simplest grace filled things to the most profound. You are a master. You are a writer and I love that you married a smart, kind man who tells you so. All the love in the world for you, as you guys celebrate!
Wow, friend. Humbled. Thanks so much for blessing me.
Sweet, sweet post! An encouraging husband is one of the greatest gifts.
Cheers,
Leah
Isn’t that the truth, Leah?!
It’s a beautiful love story Ashley, that you & Mike continue to “write”…Happy 16th Anniversary dear friend! Thank you for the example you are for Troy & I, & so many other couples. Love you guys lots!!!
It is a true joy to walk with you and Troy. Praying blessings all over your marriage.
Oh my, this is gorgeous. It’s true, this journey of marriage is telling a different kind of story, isn’t it? You and Michael are each telling your own, side by side, and still the two of you together tell a different story, too. And it’s not the kind of story, as much as we would like, that we sit down and outline from the beginning and determine what will happen and how it will end. There are all kinds of plot developments and twists and turns and character development, as you so wisely said, that we’ll encounter along the way…
And so, I love these words, in particular: “but we’ll continue setting feet in places of love and predictability while stumble stepping into spacious places of possibility.” How beautiful and courageous and hopeful is that?
I love you and I pray blessing heaped upon blessing for you and Michael and this glorious story you’re living and telling, now and in the years ahead.
Thank you for fleshing out my five-minute metaphor, friend. You’ve said it so well. As always, so appreciative for your friendship and the way you truly see to the deeper places.
This photo … and post … made my heart smile.
Thinking about you, Ashley.
xoxoxf
And you here, Anna, makes me smile back!
Grateful mike encouraged you to write because your love story is a blessing.