Perspective

Prior to this past weekend's wedding, I was privy to information about the bride and groom's relationship that was frankly, none of my business. This information came to me much like information comes through the game telephone. It was colored and changed by each "whisperers" perspective of the situation.
On the morning of the wedding, however, I had the opportunity to visit with the bride when I dropped Bella off to get her hair done before the big event. It was truly refreshing to see things from her perspective. While their relationship is so very different from Coach and mine, it was very clear that she loves him and that she wants to do whatever it takes to help him in life.
Several years ago Coach's and my lives took a sharp turn; life went from blissful and easy to difficult and trying. I was pregnant for our first baby, he was sick and his doctor took him out of work, then he lost his job altogether. It was certainly one of the most difficult times in my life. Around the same time that all of this was going on, my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. I watched as my grandparents sold their house and moved in with my parents, placing their plans of moving to Florida on hold. I watched as the plans they had made together faded away with her life. I thought about how over the years they had together there were many ups and downs, much like a roller coaster. In my mind each of our lives is a bit like a roller coaster. The ride can be exhilarating or terrifying, or maybe even a little of both, it really all depends on your perspective.
I've always been more of an optimist, the glass half full girl. As a result, I can see the beauty in not only the peaks but also in the valleys. As hard as it might be to believe, I'm grateful that life consists of both. We learn so much about ourselves in the valleys; hopefully what we learn helps us to grow and become better people. The peaks are a reward for the perseverance and hard work you put in to climb out of the valley. It's a cycle we repeat throughout our lives.
Over the past few years Coach and I have been climbing our way out of that valley. We've experienced a few peaks along the way but still there was the climb. Slowly over time things have gotten easier and easier for us. I know that our life together will bring us more valleys but I'm good with that because Coach is in the valley with me. I honestly believe with my whole heart that whether you are at the beginning of a marriage or the end of one or even right smack-dab in the middle it is a great privilege to experience the highs and lows of life with the person you love.