Meli's world

It's been a while since I followed up on the Marriage is awesome series. 6 months actually and marriage hasn't stopped being awesome, I have just been working hard to make sure it stays that way. My husband and I have been connecting in other ways developing friendships, and serving at church on top of our full time jobs and kids of our own. When I started the blog and this series in particular, I felt led by God to tell of my experiences and what I've learned to be encouragement, to be light, to be salt. I knew not everyone would be interested in what I'd have to say but if at least one person read it and was encouraged to grow in their faith, their love or marriage, then it was all worth it. In a culture where people don't believe in marriage, marriages are ending in divorce and it's hard to tell the married people apart from the single people, I felt led to tell the world why and how marriage can be awesome. Instead of other people.painting a picture ...

Two days ago we celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary. Yes, we celebrate two anniversaries a year; the one when we became girlfriend and boyfriend and when we got married. For our tenth anniversary, we had envisioned having the wedding we always wanted and renewing our vows. However a couple of months ago we decided to postpone that since we would not be able to plan it how we wanted. Since then we were thinking of something great to do and due to circumstances and commitments beyond our control, we didn't plan much at all. Instead we decided to have a simple dinner together. Funny the older we get, the more it seems simplicity is key. When we were younger I envisioned him being this hopeless romantic who would plan great getaways or elaborate surprises but as I get older, not only has he become more creative, but the things I used to expect have changed. I find that at one point in our relationship I was living day to day trying to get by...make it to the next date, th...

A few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to win through the radio, registration for a marriage retreat about 1 hour away from us. It was being held at the Marriot in Delray Beach. This was the perfect getaway for my husband and  I to spend time with each other and learn more about marriage. Marriage after all is one of the most important missions we have as we create and raise our family. I was so ecstatic when I received the call, that we had won! It was an amazing privilege because one: its hosted by Focus on the Family, one of the ministries that helped us get our marriage back on track a couple years ago, and two because this year is our tenth anniversary and I always envisioned having a wedding and renewing our vows. Though that isn't possible just yet , the conference did end with us renewing our vows! It was an amazing experience to be able to have this romantic getaway, but also to see over 300 couples from 23 states gathered to improve their marriage. Some couples ...

Today was a beautiful day here in Florida...hot, sunny and humid. Typical for an August day. We spent it at the park at a picnic from my husband, Emerald's job. With all the things I witnessed today I figured it be a perfect time to follow up on my blog series: MIA Marriage is awesome. Today's topic: boundaries. My husband works as a customer service representative at an A.C. Company. Its like a store and a warehouse where he sits at a counter making sales to customers or clients that walk in or call on the phone. Its a mostly male dominated field and he's had great opportunity to move up from warehouse manager and driving deliveries. Now its a great job, and I've always trusted my husband because as I've said before we tell each other everything, but recently a female got hired to work there to do the same thing he does. Sitting at the same counter 40 hours a week. I have to admit, it was a little difficult to get used to the idea, but having learned so much...

Do you have a garden? I don't. I'd love to have fresh fruits and veggies available for me in my own backyard, but honestly I just wouldn't want to put in the work. There's a lot of planting involved, soil, water, getting dirty, keeping insects away... Totally not my thing. I don’t mind paying more for my produce at a market just to avoid the work required to grow it! Last month, as I was reading blogs on marriage as I always do (one of my favorite subjects); I came across a 30 day husband encouragement challenge. It gave daily instructions on what topic you'd be encouraging your husband on like character, generosity, honesty, and even physical appearance. During the 30 days, I was also not allowed to say anything negative to my husband or about my husband to anyone. Sounded easy enough. The point? To sow in your husband love, patience, understanding and grow stronger as a team by pushing your partner. I decided to take on the challenge, not because he needed e...

Most people think of Jay Z and Beyonce or Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and even the Obamas. But despite the definition for "power couple" you'll see below, I'm here to tell you that's exactly what I feel like daily with my husband! power couple - a couple both of whom have high-powered careers or are politically influential (the freedictionary.com) Ok, so Emerald and I have neither the high powered careers or political influence. But as my husband was up with our daughter the other night, holding her hair as she was puking over the toilet, and cleaning up as I put her back to bed, I couldn't help to feel like a power couple. A different kind of power couple. A couple with a "High-power" in our lives. Most of you have heard me refer to us as Team George, and as a team we are not 50/50. In a team we should be 100/100! Its with that mentality that our marriage has been able to flourish. Day in and day out I can count on him to pick up my slac...