avatarBritt Blomster

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give your children, and I am so grateful my husband gives them this gift regularly.</p><p id="1c39">He gives our children endless love, support, and guidance. He doesn’t shy away from the sticky emotions that teens go through. If they ask to speak to him and he’s gaming or watching TV, he always hits pause and makes it known to them how important they are. When the girls have emotional waves of panic or frustration, he responds calmly, and I can instantly hear the panic or frustration melt off their words. He lacks patience with traffic, but his patience with our children is truly inspiring. Meltdowns over math homework? No problem; he won’t give up until the assignment is complete. My children know they are loved and support is available.</p><p id="a443">He’s not just my husband, but he’s my best friend. We laugh at everything together. We have spent entire car rides laughing until our cheeks hurt. During a recent hike, we tried a new path and got lost among the trees. Instead of being upset, we used humor and common sense to find our way to the truck. Our goofy car ride home was almost as memorable as the hike. He is my biggest cheerleader and helps me put things in perspective. It’s a breathtaking feeling knowing he’s always there for me. Whenever I call him, he answers. Sometimes, just hearing his voice on the other end of the phone and knowing I’m not alone is all I need. His words are supportive, and his hugs soothing. He’s my pillar of support.</p><p id="5843">He’s my equal partner, a

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nd life is smoother with him by my side. Like most couples, we find ways to utilize our strengths and weaknesses. I can confidently say I couldn’t operate without him entirely splitting chores and errands with me. If I’m having a rough day, I will come home and find dinner already in the oven. I never feel overburdened by parenthood or life due to him.</p><p id="0030">Marriage is not all green pastures and clear skies, but focusing on the positive and minimizing the negative can bring you great joy. We survived hurricanes for a thousand days of sunshine, and I wouldn’t change a thing. As humans, we seek what brings us joy and perfection, but the best thing you can do is let challenges strengthen you and make you grateful for the little moments. That’s where the truth of happiness lies.</p><p id="33be">Gratitude can change our mindset, and remembering to be thankful for my husband has strengthened my marriage. When frustration bubbles, it keeps it from boiling. It focuses your mind on what matters. Never stop dating or flirting with your spouse. It doesn’t need to be extraordinary every day, just most days. Life is too short to waste time on routines and miss out on cherishing life’s gifts. We may be hardwired to enjoy new things, but gratitude gives us appreciation, and when we appreciate things, they do not lose their value. Twenty years later, I’m still thankful for the day I got my first job and met my future husband.</p><p id="1204"><b><i>© Britt Blomster 2023</i></b></p></article></body>

Thankful Thursday #2

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When I was 16, I walked into Bob Evans to submit my first job application. Little did I know that this decision would change my life forever. It was the day I got my first job and also the day I met my husband, Erik. Twenty years and four kids later, I am grateful for that choice daily. Our marriage isn’t a fairytale, but our love story is a big source of my gratitude. We’ve faced dark times and relenting stormy days where I wasn’t sure we would make it back to the sun. Together, we have weathered the storms. Some days, I can feel the sunshine pouring out of my heart. Our love story is imperfect, but I’m appreciative it’s mine.

I’m thankful Erik is a wonderful husband to me and an incredible father to our four children. Excelling at fatherhood is an essential ingredient to marriage. I hit the jackpot. He throws the ball around the yard while chit-chatting with the boys and willingly takes the girls on shopping trips. Erik plans camping trips for our family to have unplugged time. He will devote hours to conversation with our children while grilling, chopping wood, or hiking through the forest. Erik’s an expert at ensuring the kids feel included and carving out time for each one to have personal time. Quality time is one of the best gifts you can give your children, and I am so grateful my husband gives them this gift regularly.

He gives our children endless love, support, and guidance. He doesn’t shy away from the sticky emotions that teens go through. If they ask to speak to him and he’s gaming or watching TV, he always hits pause and makes it known to them how important they are. When the girls have emotional waves of panic or frustration, he responds calmly, and I can instantly hear the panic or frustration melt off their words. He lacks patience with traffic, but his patience with our children is truly inspiring. Meltdowns over math homework? No problem; he won’t give up until the assignment is complete. My children know they are loved and support is available.

He’s not just my husband, but he’s my best friend. We laugh at everything together. We have spent entire car rides laughing until our cheeks hurt. During a recent hike, we tried a new path and got lost among the trees. Instead of being upset, we used humor and common sense to find our way to the truck. Our goofy car ride home was almost as memorable as the hike. He is my biggest cheerleader and helps me put things in perspective. It’s a breathtaking feeling knowing he’s always there for me. Whenever I call him, he answers. Sometimes, just hearing his voice on the other end of the phone and knowing I’m not alone is all I need. His words are supportive, and his hugs soothing. He’s my pillar of support.

He’s my equal partner, and life is smoother with him by my side. Like most couples, we find ways to utilize our strengths and weaknesses. I can confidently say I couldn’t operate without him entirely splitting chores and errands with me. If I’m having a rough day, I will come home and find dinner already in the oven. I never feel overburdened by parenthood or life due to him.

Marriage is not all green pastures and clear skies, but focusing on the positive and minimizing the negative can bring you great joy. We survived hurricanes for a thousand days of sunshine, and I wouldn’t change a thing. As humans, we seek what brings us joy and perfection, but the best thing you can do is let challenges strengthen you and make you grateful for the little moments. That’s where the truth of happiness lies.

Gratitude can change our mindset, and remembering to be thankful for my husband has strengthened my marriage. When frustration bubbles, it keeps it from boiling. It focuses your mind on what matters. Never stop dating or flirting with your spouse. It doesn’t need to be extraordinary every day, just most days. Life is too short to waste time on routines and miss out on cherishing life’s gifts. We may be hardwired to enjoy new things, but gratitude gives us appreciation, and when we appreciate things, they do not lose their value. Twenty years later, I’m still thankful for the day I got my first job and met my future husband.

© Britt Blomster 2023

Gratitude
Marriage
Relationships
Love
Life
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