Saying "I do" again!

Our Valentine's event was a great success! I had my chemo the day before which meant that I was on a high for the day of the event. It was a beautiful evening and my highlight was being able to give the talk on marriage with Pierre and renew our vows.

As I was preparing for the talk and reflecting on our marriage I couldn't help but cry. I have an amazing husband! He has been such a blessing throughout my adventure with cancer. In our talk we spoke about how there are constant challenges within marriage– busyness of a young family, times of financial difficulties, miscarriages, illnesses, etc. and how throughout these challenges we always have a choice - we can turn against one another in the midst of them - in our words and in our actions – or by the grace of God we can be a source of relief, hope and life for our spouse.

I shared of how we were presently experiencing one of those big challenges within our marriage right now with me being diagnosed with cancer and how we have had to make adjustments within our marriage and family life as a result. One example I shared was how our youngest, Nicholas, who is almost two, tends to wake up early – way too early some days! Since I have been sick, each weekend Pierre is the one who gets up with him. I know how much Pierre would love to sleep in – and yet he climbs out of bed, closes the door and lets me sleep in. I've watched him care for the kids if they were sick in the night, check on Nicholas if he calls out....the list goes on and on. For me it is an act of love each time he does it. It is something so simple, yet it means so much.

Our challenge of cancer hasn't been a devastating experience for us in our marriage– it has actually been a source of many graces and blessings. I know that it is because of our faith and also the fact that we were already finding ways to show our love to one another – this adventure has just given us more opportunities!

That night, as we renewed our wedding vows we were both in tears at the part "in sickness and in health". Our "I do" meant even more!