Describe a man who has positively impacted your life.

The man who has positively impacted my life is my husband.
Forty years ago, before internet and devices we met through a dating service. There was an immediate chemistry between us. We eloped eleven weeks after we met. I would say we did spend the first year still getting acquainted.

Our life has been filled with peaks and valleys like everyone else. I think the difference is how we handled good and bad times. During our forty years, we moved out of state, and then returned home. We had a premature baby that lived fourteen months, numerous times my husband was out of work due to economic times, he is a survivor, he always found another gig, something else to do. We eventually had two daughters that we both raised into successful independent adults.

What I am saying is life is not a bowl of cherries!
Life can be challenging whether it is work, kids, marriage, or personal stuff. I feel blessed, I had a partner, my husband whom I was able to weather the stormy patches with. Marriage requires commitment to each other.  Persevering during those uncomfortable, challenging times made us stronger and closer as a couple and a family. 
We are each other’s best friend; we enjoy each other’s company. We have similar values and interests, we pray together, we take walks together.

I grew up in a loving supportive yet dysfunctional and chaotic family. That upbringing made me confused, doubting myself and questioning things. Yet I knew I wanted better communication along with love and support. We are a blessed couple. I have learned so much from my husband. We are honest with one another; we communicate and work well together. 

My husband’s parents divorced when he was young. He is in his 60’s, when he was a kid, he was one of the only kids in his neighborhood and at school that came from a divorced family. How times have changed! My parents remained married. My parents could have volatile disagreements. 

Each of our upbringings gave us insight into the other. I learned to have compassion for his situation, where his place was with his family. I learned that having a family, and some of the traditions we could build together was important for both of us. My husband learned more about me through spending time with my family. My extended family can be chaotic and dramatic, I believe I am a calm and peaceful person. We are great individuals, yet I think we bring out the best in each other. After forty years of marriage, I love and am grateful for my husband!