3 years of Holding Hands

Tuesday marked our engagement anniversary. It's crazy to think about all that has happened since Ryan proposed just 3 years ago!

From that fairy-tale moment when I saw rose petals and knew the guy I'd fallen in love with might be asking me a wonderful question, to the next year pregnant with our first child, to the next living in Shanghai of all places, until now, expecting our 2nd child in a few months... Life has been full. And so so wonderful to walk through it holding hands with my love.

We aren't able to hold hands as often these days. I still remember how amazing it felt when he took my hand in his for the first time that August 18th... We didn't want to let go. It still feels amazing, but more of a less fireworks and more comforting, loving feeling of being connected. We try to remember to still do it, but between hailing taxis and getting in with one of us having the bags and the other the toddler, or trying to manage keeping a toddler supplied with food and preventing her from spilling her water cup while managing to eat ourselves, or one of us carrying a tot or steering a stroller on Shanghai's bumpy sidewalks... The moments we have to hold hands are more momentary! But, we still try to retain that connection.

The words of Steve Green's song "Holding Hands" came to me the night Ryan proposed, and I sang them to him over dinner. A good friend sang them in our wedding, and I'm reminded of them again:

One day, far away, you gently won my heart;
And one night, by candlelight, we made a vow to never part.
And then it seemed just like a dream
When wide eyed, side by side,
We faced the future holding hands. 

Years fly, they hurry by, the simple times are gone
Bills due, a kid or two, a week can feel eight days long
By fading light, let's kiss goodnight
And then we trace God's daily grace
Thankful we're still holding hands. 

There's a hope that won't let go;
There's a truth we know:
God is holding us
In His arms...

The years really do fly, and the days are long. But as long as the dress still fits and isn't worn out, I want to keep dressing up for my husband like I did that day for a "dressy date" that turned into a proposal... Remembering the beauty and wonder of saying "I love you" and holding the hand of the guy who I knew for SURE I was going to marry. It's a day worth celebrating!