Day 1 and Day 2 of our honeymoon were filled with splashes in the pool, walks along the beach, sunset watching, giant bike riding in the ocean, and seeing each other at our best–our sexiest outfits, our most agreeablemoods, and our most fun and adventurous spirits. It was Day 3 of our honeymoon…dun…dun…dun! A day I will never forget. A day I learned what marriage was really about. On the evening of Day 2, wedined at a gorgeous beach side restaurant. Weate. We drank wine–all while gazing into each other’s eyes as the waves crashed on the shore nearby. It was so romantic. However, the next morning on day 3, I awoke to a gurgling stomach – churning – aching. Without saying another word,my brand new mate forlife wentinto the bathroom, grabbed some toilet paper, sat next to me on the bed, and——-wiped my butt. Yes, he wiped my butt. Now that’s love!

Even now, on Day 6,052 of our marriage, the honeymoon is well over, but we continue to celebrate those moments throughout our lives that have brought us closer together – more committed to one another – forever. Best friends by each other’s side no matter what comes our way – poopy butts and all!I knew that something was going to come out somewhere. It was just a matter of time. NOOOOOOOOOO! Not on my honeymoon! We still laugh together, even after almost 17 years of marriage, as we reflect on Day 3 of our honeymoon. We recognize how much Day 3 prepared us (especially for my husband) for what was to come. He has seen me even morevulnerable, at my most disgusting, at my very, very, veryworst. He has been there for the birth via C-Section of our threechildren. He has been there for countless stomach bugs, flu bugs, cold bugs, and even depression bugs. It hasn’t been easy. We’ve even been near divorce, butI’m so thankful that we both have been ableto move forward, press on, and persevere through some really rough times, tough conversations, and painful moments. We have both grown and allowed God to shape us into the individuals and into the couple that we are today. Through our struggles, we’ve gained strength, wisdom, trust, and confidence in ourselves and in each other. Our marriage gets stronger with every year…with every day. I wanted to hide my pain. I wanted to pretend all was well so we could go snorkeling and continue being flirty and sexy and enjoying our fairy tale of love and romance and happiness and fun.

I was mortified, but at the same time, I was given a gift. A gift to see that my husband was going to be there for me no matter what. That he was going to be someone I could laugh with, have romantic dinners with, walk on the beach with, and enjoy the good times with, but he was also going to be someone who would stay by my side when I was at my worst. And that’s what matters most in life and in marriage. And I thought I couldn’t feel worse. I didn’t care though. I couldn’t move. Ijust wanted to die of pain and now, of embarrassment. Iwasjust lyingthere – hot, sweaty, stinky, naked – with poop on my sun-kissed butt.verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{