I knew I was falling in love with my husband on one of our first dates. We went to a wedding together. I discovered that he had a lot of friends and a sense of humor that made everyone laugh. We held hands and walked along a moonlit path as we got to know each other.
We danced, laughed, and talked.
He drove me home and told me he was “falling” for me. I walked into my parents’ house with a dreamy, hopeful heart that I may have found the man I could fall in love with.
A few years later, I was pronounced Mrs. Murray and hurried down the aisle to Steven Curtis Chapman’s “This is the Great Adventure.”
Come on, get ready for the ride of your life
Saddle up your horses
We’ve got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder of God’s Amazing grace
Let’s follow our Leader into the glorious unknown
This is the life like no other whoa ohh…
This is The Great Adventure
We walked down the aisle into the glorious unknown of what married life would be like. Little did I know all of the wonderful memories that we would be making and all the storms that we would walk through.
I’m glad I didn’t have any understanding of what “for better or for worse” really meant on the day I got married. I was a blissful, young bride, full of anticipation and excitement for my future. I’m glad I danced at our wedding—naïve to the often-stinging pain and endurance that loving someone truly requires.
Our life has been a great adventure. I never knew how amazing and hard it could be all at the same time. I never thought I would ever come to a place where I questioned our covenant. But the truth is, there have been days when I didn’t think we would make it.
When I received a wedding invitation recently, I was excited to get childcare and go on a date with my husband. I love marriage ceremonies and watching as young lovers gaze into each other’s eyes. I sat next to my groom of 19 years, four children later, and listened to their fresh vows of love—of those ready to step into their own mystery.
The pastor spoke the familiar words: Love is a choice and not a feeling. Every day, you will make a choice to love your spouse.
My husband and I had just gone through a season of chiseling.
A time where our wounds still felt a bit open and raw.
A time where our love was stretched to its limits.
And we figured out how to hold onto God and our vows through it.
A time where in order to come together we had to discover that even when we can’t seem to reconcile and our wounds still feel like they are bleeding, we can choose to be broken together.
Through the years, we sometimes embrace songs as our own. A few years ago on our anniversary, we danced to the song “Marry Me” at a restaurant in a quaint little town called Murphy’s. I’ve kept it as my ringtone ever since.
A few days before we attended that wedding, my husband sent me this song, “Broken Together” by Casting Crowns. I knew it would be a song we’d cherish as a representation of our love through the hard times.
It’s a song about choosing to stay with each other and be broken together instead of apart. It’s not easy and it’s often downright painful, but it’s what I learned that God wanted from me.
If you are struggling in your marriage, take a moment and watch this video Broken Together.
As the newlyweds finished their first dance and guests were invited to the dance floor, it was time for us to dance again. Time to remember what young love felt like. Time to rejoice in our love that has weathered the storms of life and grown stronger than ever—the love that has our history etched in every crease.
It’s a beautiful love. A love that’s matured. Every twist and turn on this great adventure has brought us closer.
Let’s dance again. Let’s forget the stress of the world and live in young, blissful ignorance of what our future will bring… knowing that 20 years from now, whatever that future will have unfolded before us, we will still end up here, dancing together again.
When life has wearied your step, take a moment to dance.
Do you have a special song that reminds you of your love and commitment to marriage? I would love to hear from you! Share your song in the comment section below.
If you are in need of prayer for your marriage you can email me at Valeriemurray@valeriemurray.com and I will pray for you this week. Your email is private and will not be published.
Hello there! I'm Valerie, a mom of four and wife of 27 years. My writing inspires others to cultivate courageous faith and find solace in trusting God, especially in moments of fear and uncertainty. Join me on this adventure as we explore the beauty of trusting God when we are afraid. 
Valerie,
So very relevant to me right now, as I’m just coming from my own daughter’s wedding, and will be celebrating 30 years with my own hubby next month!
LOVE that song “Broken Together”…so very true, and even though the music is somewhat sad, the thoughts are actually encouraging from my point of view. Realistic, at least…
Happy anniversary Pat! And congrats on your daughter’s wedding. I had heard “Broken Together” before without paying attention to the words until I watched the video. The video tugs at my heart strings every time! I’m so glad you stopped by.
Thanks for sharing this Valerie. So poignant without the details. Love your style.
Thank you for your kind comment Amy!
Hi, Valerie! Thank you for sharing these words with us at Grace and Truth last week. I love the thought of being broken together. My husband and I have learned about that aspect of marriage these last few years.
Jen 🙂
Hi Jen, Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. I never paid attention to the words of the song Broken until I watched the video. I’m so thankful that we have the Lord to help us through the hard times. Many blessings to you!
I cried, Valerie! What a beautiful post. <3
There are many songs that my hubby and I have claimed, but the most recent is Steven Curtis Chapman's Together (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCttdN446aE). Have you heard it? Sounds like it would fit your marriage, too.
Thank you for linking up with Grace & Truth this week. I have chosen you as my featured post! It will be live tomorrow. 🙂
Hi Jenn,
I am honored that you are featuring the post. I pray it will help others who may be struggling.
I love Steven Curtis Chapman and I’ve never heard that song until now. It’s beautiful! I think I will send it to my hubby;). Thank you so much for your kind comment!
Aww, I just love this. So sweet and romantic and lovely.
I walked down the aisle to Eva Cassidy’s version of Songbird. Our first dance was Two Hearts by Chris Isaak.
Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).
Wishing you a lovely evening.
xoxo
Hi Jennifer,
Your songs are so beautiful! Thank you for sharing them. I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment. Have a great evening too!
So beautiful! I know I have seen how stress comes so easily these days. I think parenting can be so draining and we have seen how important it is to keep our marriage as a priority.
Hi Keri! Thank you for commenting. I know, life with 4 kids is very busy! Especially with 3 of them in soccer.
This is such a beautiful and sweet post Valerie ? We just celebrated 9 “broken” years together. I am looking forward to 19, and beyond! I love this reminder to keep dancing with a song in your heart. Beautiful ?
Thank you Tiffany. Always a joy to hear from you. Congrats to 9 years and many more to come!
I’m glad I had no idea what ‘for better or for worse’ truly meant, either! Marriage is tough, it is work. But, when we have been broken together, we begin to meld together. It draws a married couple closer together, it makes us one as God intended. Thanks for your wonderful post. I’ll be sharing this week.
Thank you so much for sharing Aimee! I’m glad to be a part of CBB with you. Have a blessed day!