We Don’t Have It All, But We Have Everything

When I look at this picture of Adam and me, I don’t just see two people standing on a beach. I see 12 years of memories, laughter, challenges, and a love that has only deepened over time. This photo is more than just a moment — it’s a glimpse into a life we’ve built together: messy, unfiltered, and perfectly imperfect.

The Beginning of Us

We started as two wide-eyed 20-somethings in 2012, with no idea what the future held. At the time, I was living in Houston, living for adventure with my friends.

Then one weekend, I drove seven hours to West Texas to visit my parents and catch my brother’s football game. Little did I know, I was picking out my future husband on the sidelines. Fate had a funny way of introducing us.

Not long after, Adam proposed — on a football, of all things — right before football season kicked off. A spontaneous, imperfectly perfect moment that marked the beginning of our story.

12 Years Later...

Now, 12 years and two kids later, I look at Adam and think, how did we get here? Time has flown by, but one thing I’ve learned is that marriage isn’t about perfection. It’s about partnership. It’s about showing up for each other, even when you're exhausted, frustrated, or feeling less than your best.

We’ve built a life that might not look perfect to the world, but it’s ours. A life where love isn’t just a feeling — it’s a choice we make every single day.

When I look at Adam, I see the man who makes me laugh, supports me through every challenge, pushes me to be better, and loves me more deeply than I ever thought possible.

Real Talk on Marriage

As we reflect on the years, we’ve learned that a thriving marriage isn’t about getting everything right. It’s about growing together through life’s ups and downs and showing up when it’s hardest. The world says we need more things: bigger homes, fancier cars, picture-perfect vacations. But when I stand beside Adam, raising our Christ-fearing kids and living a life grounded in love and faith, I know this for sure: fulfillment doesn’t come from stuff. It comes from the people God places in your life.

Our marriage isn’t always Instagram-perfect. Our daughter recently said something that really made me pause. She said, “I’ve never even heard y’all fight before.” And she’s right. We don’t fight — not because we don’t disagree, but because we’ve learned how to disagree without attacking each other. We talk, listen, and value each other’s perspectives. We don’t let the little things fester. Sure, I can get snarky (okay, often 😅), and Adam may let out a deep, exaggerated sigh (his version of rolling his eyes) but we work through it and always find a way to laugh about it. Laughter really is the best remedy.

Building a Life Together

At its core, marriage is about partnership. It’s about choosing each other every day, even when life feels overwhelming and a glass of wine and Netflix seem easier than a deep conversation. But we show up. Every single day.

When I see Adam, I see the man who makes me laugh, supports me through every season, challenges me to be better, and loves me even on the days I’m less than lovable. He’s not just my husband; he’s my best friend. And together, we’ve built a life that might not look like “everything” to the world, but to us? It’s more than enough.

Love isn’t just a feeling — it’s a decision. It’s a commitment to choose each other through every high and low. We’ve learned that patience and kindness aren’t just nice ideas — they’re essential. We’re two flawed people, figuring out life together, learning to give grace, listen when it’s hard, and remember that no marriage is without its challenges.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

We may not have everything the world says we should, but we have everything we need. And that’s enough.

A Final Thought

To all the married couples and soon-to-be-married couples out there:

I know how easy it is to get caught up in the daily grind — work, kids, chores, everything that fills our lives. It’s easy to feel like there’s never enough time for each other. But here’s my advice: Make the time. Even when you’re busy, tired, or overwhelmed, carve out space for your relationship. Whether it’s a quick coffee together in the morning, a 10-minute conversation before bed, or a spontaneous date night, those small moments add up. It’s not about the big gestures — it’s about showing up for each other in the little ways, every single day.

In the chaos, make sure you’re still choosing each other, because at the end of the day, that’s what keeps the love alive.

Here’s to finding your person and making it last—just like Adam and I have.