David and I had been married 5 years when we moved to Louisville, KY, for David to teach at Highview Baptist School. Zachary was 7 months old. It soon became our custom to walk the sidewalks of our neighborhood, Ashbrooke Gardens, after dinner. Zach was as happy-as-a-clam in his stroller and it gave David and me an opportunity to catch up on our day. He was a rookie in his teaching career and had the stories of the day to prove it. I was at home with Zachary, and was always anxious to share the newest milestone or development that he had achieved.
Three years later when Samuel joined our family, we were still walking and talking each evening after dinner. And three years after that, when Seth joined Team Balty, we were still walking together.
Over the years things changed of course; Zach outgrew the stroller, then rode a bike, and then drove a battery operated truck. As soon as Samuel could hang on tightly enough, he was not content to be in the stroller either and he joined Zach in the "Mighty Mac" and off we'd go. Evening after evening. Us walking and talking. Our neighbors told us that from their supper tables, they watched our boys grow up, as we'd walk with our boys.
David and I learned something really important to our marriage in those years: We learned to remain connected, not only as spouses, but also as friends. So, as the boys were growing up, we were growing together and not away from each other as would have been easy to do in the busyness of day-to-day raising a family. I treasure those memories. But, even now, I still treasure our walks.
We walk without the boys now. There's no distraction, no reminding a little one to watch out at the intersection, Just David and me. Still walking and talking.
Still growing together.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up."
Today, I'm intentionally grateful for growth.
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