The Beauty of What Lasts

This has been a sweet week—and I’m so grateful you’re here again.

We got to attend a wedding reception, and it filled me with so much hope. There’s something magical about watching a new couple, just starting out—seeing that love and anticipation in their eyes. There’s also something beautiful about seeing a couple just a few months into marriage, still giddy and grateful and figuring it out together.

It made me reflect on how precious those early days are—but also how sacred the long haul is.

This week, two of our sons left for California. One was just married in March, and while I’ve sent kids off before—for missions, school, adventures—this was different. For the first time, I realized: he’s not coming back home. Not in-between semesters. Not for the summer. He has a home now—with his wife. That’s beautiful. That’s right. That’s exactly what we want for our children.

And yet… my heart felt it.

Then, our second son left too. He’s done this before—these little launches into the world. But somehow, as I watched him drive away, I felt it again: this ache. This deep, almost indescribable fullness of love and longing.

It hit me: my children are going to keep leaving. And soon, in just 12 months, our youngest will graduate high school. We’re stepping into that chapter—one I’ve seen others enter and always thought, “Someday, not yet.”

But here we are.

Later that day, it was just Rory and me at home. Quiet. Still. And as I looked at him, this truth washed over me:

If we had neglected us, this moment would feel doubly heartbreaking.

I’d be saying goodbye to our kids and turning around to a stranger.

But instead—I looked at Rory and thought, thank heaven I still have you.

He’s still my safe place. My teammate. My favorite.

Because we didn’t let “busy” steal our connection. We didn’t let parenting replace partnering. And thank goodness.

Friend, one day, it really will just be the two of you again.

No more babies to tuck in. No teens to wait up for. Just you and the person you chose.

Will you recognize them?

Will you enjoy them?

If not—please hear this:

It’s not too late.

You can start today. You can turn toward each other again. You can get the tools, shift the mindset, repair the gap, and build something even better than what you had before.

I promise it’s worth it because what a strong marriage does:

It blesses your children.

It sustains you when the nest is empty.

And it gives you a beautiful foundation to step into the future—together.

So whether you’re in year one, year twenty, or trying to pick up the pieces—don’t give up. Don’t wait until the house is quiet to remember the sound of your spouse’s voice. Don’t wait until the kids are gone to remember how much you loved each other.

Start now.

Even a small shift can change everything.

And I believe in you. I believe in marriage. And I believe that if you’re willing to fight for it—it can become more than you ever imagined.