After our little ones drift off to sleep, we finally get some real quality time together. We struggle to keep our eyes open, holding hands and catching up on our favorite shows. Even when exhaustion hits, we find moments to connect intimately, cherishing our fleeting chance at togetherness. Every morning, he leans in to kiss me goodbye before heading to work, and throughout the day, we send each other sweet texts to remind us of our love. Occasionally, our messages carry the weight of unresolved discussions that didn’t get completed over our hurried morning coffees.
As a stay-at-home mom, I embrace my role wholeheartedly, yet I can’t deny it sometimes feels overwhelming. I adore being a mom, but there are days when it’s a struggle, just like my children — complex little beings who constantly surprise me. It’s everything I hoped for and a million things I never anticipated. Yet, my marriage is still alive and vibrant — our love story is not merely a chapter of the past.
We have a shared history, like most couples, woven into the fabric of our daily lives filled with work, dinner prep, and school runs, hidden beneath kisses that are often too brief and laundry that never seems to end. I yearn for a future where we have more time for “us,” where our kids remain small for just a bit longer, allowing us to nurture our roles as partners and parents.
I refuse to put our romance on hold for a later date. I want to experience our love in the midst of the chaos of life, not just on weekends or special occasions. We strive to make room for our connection amidst the demands of parenthood, fighting to remember who we were before the little ones arrived and the daily grind started piling up.
Babysitters are a rarity, and “date night” feels like a distant dream. Those precious hours we share in the evenings can never quite replicate the leisurely Saturdays we once enjoyed. I want more of him, more of “us,” and I try to hold onto those morning kisses, even when my mind is racing with a million tasks. I want to show my daughters the woman I am — a partner to their father, a friend, and a wife.
I make an effort to laugh with him while cooking dinner instead of getting frustrated over trivial things. I cherish the moments we share, even when they seem insufficient. I want him to know that I love him and still need his affection. Our marriage is not on the brink of ending, even if we sometimes feel more like roommates than soulmates. Each day, I choose him again and again — with every quick kiss as he heads out the door, with every moment I stay awake instead of retreating to bed.
It’s essential to express our appreciation for the ones we love, especially amidst the easy tendency to complain or criticize. We owe it to our partners to show them the best of ourselves and to remind them that we chose this life together. Every day, our children grow and change, and every day, my husband and I inch closer together without our kids interrupting our moment. Each day brings new challenges and joys to our marriage.
This morning, I stood in the kitchen with our youngest, who proudly declared herself a “little big girl,” still needing my help to get breakfast. Before long, she’ll transition into a full-blown “big girl,” and I know I’ll have to remind her of her once-little self. It’s not sad — it’s a natural part of life: growth, change, and new beginnings. My marriage is not stagnant; it has been renewed, and I just need to open my tired eyes wide enough to see it.
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In summary, while marriage with kids may be challenging, it remains a journey worth taking. I choose my partner every single day, and despite the chaos, our love continues to grow and evolve.