James and I are celebrating our 43rd anniversary this month!
We have come a long way, considering the fact that we got married after only
three months of dating.
Dating was easy. Long before we heard of the 5 Love
Languages from Gary Chapman, we were filling each other’s love tank
effortlessly. James spent plenty of “Quality Time” with me; and I appreciated
his words and actions with many “Words of Affirmations.” Loving one another, we
did not have to argue or defend ourselves.
It did not even matter that we had to communicate in English
instead of his Mandarin or my Cantonese. Somehow the pressure, stress and
loneliness we previously felt in a foreign land all faded away.
A month or so after seeing each other almost every day,
James proposed on the phone.
"If everything turns out fine, I would like to marry
you."
"But I don't know how to cook!"
“No problem. We can eat out every day.”
I expected to live happily ever after. Therefore, I was
disillusioned and hurt when James asked why I squeezed his toothpaste the wrong
way – from the middle of the tube. Things went downhill and our honeymoon was
over before long.
But there is hope in Christ! As written in the feature
article this month, there are ways to “Turn Relational Conflicts into Blessings” when
couples are willing to handle conflicts constructively.
The Chinese article “Holding Hands” (中文文章 - 牽手) is our love story.
I will never forget my first impression of his parents when
we met for dinner in San Francisco Chinatown. His mom and dad were over fifty
years old, but they were still holding hands and talking with each other while
walking towards their 4 children and me. It was right then and there that I knew
I wanted a love just like that!
Marriage is not easy. James and I have gone through many ups
and downs. Thank God that we are still talking, holding hands, and walking
together. What a journey we have traveled as a couple, parents, grandparents,
and co-laborers in Christ in spite of our differences. Glory to God!
You may read the July 27th 2018 Newsletter by clicking HERE.
結婚週年快樂 Happy Anniversary James!
Joy and Peace to you,
Winnis Chiang
