But who's counting?

Well, it dawned on me this morning that today marks 111 months of choosing to pursue the love of my life, Mr. Collin Asheim. (But who’s counting? 🤪)

I can still vividly recall reaching the three-month mark of our relationship and thinking to myself, "Wow! We made it to a quarter of a year!" It felt like such a milestone, and at the time it was. ☺️ Back then, I could barely fathom being with someone for longer than a year, and now here we are at nearly a decade with (hopefully!) many more decades yet to come.

What have I learned in that amount of time? I mean, what's the "secret" to creating a successful relationship anyway? Is there a universal formula to making it work? 

I think the general key is to practice active listening, intentional communication, and to give unconditional grace. 

Ha, all easier said than done!

There’s a lot more to it than just that, and there are many practices, habits, and rhythms that we’ll be figuring out for the rest our lives. A few of these things include:

• Practicing kindness, even when we don't feel like it. 
• Communicating extra when we're apart. 
• Learning each other’s love languages and showing love in our preferred ways.
• Supporting + encouraging each other's independent pursuits and hobbies! 
• Giving and respecting one another's space. 
• Doing the dishes and laundry without being asked. 
• Playing and having fun! 
• Switching up routine and doing spontaneous things. 
• Trusting each other with their own time. 
• Cooking and learning together. 
• Challenging each other’s ideas.
• Being curious in the happenings of the other's life. 
• Dreaming together. 
• Practicing patience.
• Saying "I love you" every day. 
• Not going to bed angry. 
• Engaging in empathy. 
• Physical touch (yup, it's important). 
• Praying together. 

This is a brief list. And yet, I wholeheartedly believe that these things matter.  

Boy, I thank God every day for you, Collin Asheim. You are undoubtedly my greatest blessing. Cheers to another 111 months of embracing this thing called life together. 

I freakin' love you. 
xxx
Reyna

(p.s. I felt it was time for your biannual sappy love post 😘)