This first month of school has definitely been a journey for Cory and I, but overall I think it has drawn us a lot closer. We know why we are here, and we know the task at hand, and we are learning so much. It is so awesome to be on this journey together, experiencing this whole new chapter in our lives together.
One thing we started doing was taking walks at the end of the day. We’ve found it to be an awesome way to enjoy the fresh air, take a break from studying, exercise a little, and enjoy each other’s company. During that hour or so it feels like we are able to really talk and tell each other not just about the day or the week, but whats really going on in our minds and hearts. I really look forward to those walks, those times when we unwind and are real, hiding nothing and wearing no mask. It’s refreshing to to get to spend that time together. The last couple weeks we haven’t been able to have those walks because of my health stuff going on and frankly not being able to walk…so I’m definitely looking forward to starting those again!
I have appreciated Cory so much and am so thankful for him. Over the past few years we have both matured and grown so much. And recently (well, more like the past 10 months) the way Cory has stood by me and supported and comforted me through all the pain of the health issues has been absolutely amazing. And it’s not just evident to me. When I was at the doctor on Friday going through that procedure, Cory was there beforehand to pray with me and comfort me and he was there after ready to give me a big hug and tell me he was proud of me. When I was getting ready to leave the doctor and nurse came in and told me that “Cory is a keeper!” 
They talked about how a true test for a relationship is what happens when health issues arise, and they kept telling me how they could see how much Cory cared for me by being there that day and helping take care of me. And they saw how big I smiled when he came into the room, and the doctor and nurse both said they could just tell how much we meant to each other and valued each other. They approved and kept telling me “he’s a keeper!” It’s funny how much that meant to me, to hear two ladies whom I had just meant recognize how much we care for each other. It really meant a lot to me to hear them talk about health issues being the true test of a relationship, because it helps me appreciate Cory so much more. It’s always good to see things through other’s eyes, and it helped me see that Cory didn’t have to support me, he didn’t have to be there for me or stand beside me when I was in pain. He didn’t have to be at the hospital before surgery, or waiting at my house afterwards. He didn’t have to be at the doctor’s with me that day. But he was. And it means the world to me. He’s definitely a keeper in my book.
But all in all, this time at Union has taught us a lot and grown us closer. We realize how much we’ve been through in our lives individually the past 20 or 21 years and also how much we have learned and gone through together in the past few years. God has an awesome plan for us and it’s exciting watching it unfold!
~Sarah
