Leadership requires selflessness, mentoring, learning from others, patience, persistence, and the willingness to grow through your mistakes.  These also apply to making a marriage work.  And not to simply ‘work,’ but to THRIVE.

Today (August 31) marks 24 years with one AMAZING woman of God!  Both of us have had to lead ourselves and each other through some pretty challenging seasons.  But we have both learned that marriage is much more than a ‘relationship status’ on Facebook.  It’s a life-long investment in a journey together.

Here are 9 lessons on marriage I’ve come to realize over the years.

Marriage Insight #1 | Celebrate well, and remember often.

Marriage Insight #2 | Experience new things together.

Marriage Insight #3 | Cherish your family traditions while you have them.

Marriage Insight #4 | Don’t forget to travel down memory lane now and then.

Marriage Insight #5 | Travel and explore together often.

Marriage Insight #6 | Experience good food together.

Marriage Insight #7 | Family memories are priceless.  Protect them.

Marriage Insight #8 | Invest in your relationship.  Otherwise it will run dry.

Marriage Insight #9 | Don’t be afraid of displaying your love for each other publicly.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  1 Cor. 13:7

To Cailey, the most incredible and beautiful woman I have ever known….Thank You!  Thank you for loving me, especially at times when I’ve been unlovable.  Thank you for patiently waiting for me to learn what it looks like to be the Spiritual leader of our home.  I still have much to learn here.  Thank you for being a loving, guiding, teaching, and nurturing mother to our children.  And lastly, thank you for constantly challenging me to become a better husband, father, and church leader.

Happy Anniversary…I Love You!