For the most part, I have adjusted to my husband’s employment abroad.

I’m not sure I like that. But I’m so glad it is temporary.

See, Richard and I are not merely spouses and co-parents; we are “besties.” Our souls are intertwined. We enjoy a closeness in our marriage that, I am sad to say, makes no sense to some people. We talk about everything! My husband would be uncomfortable if I were to explain the extent of our “connection.” Suffice to say that in all six of my pregnancies, HE experienced the morning sickness — no exaggeration. We are that connected.

Binky and Liz have this type of intertwined relationship; I believe Cathy and Randy and Catherine and Daniel do, too. But it confuses me that some couples are more cohabitants than they are two halves of the same glorious whole, and that they are okay with that! They live separate lives, keep entirely separate bank accounts, have different groups of friends, but share the same bed and parent the same kids.

I’m not judging these couples; such life management works for some of them. It is, admittedly, a perspective that I don’t grasp; in fact, I’ve been in that type of relationship before and I did not thrive — I withered. It did not work for me.

Now, understand that my Anchor and my foremost devotion in life is my Lord Jesus who in 1989 delivered me from the many destructive pathways that were my destiny had I been left to my own devices. But there is more: the man who saw in me what the Lord saw — someone worth loving.

Richard completes me. And I don’t consider it idolatry or blasphemy to say so. Living apart has been a growing experience and a challenge to learn about myself as an individual.

I can best describe our union as complementary. We’re “okay” when distance separates us, but we are better together, and that with God as the center of our union. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says that says a cord of three strands is not easily broken. Even with physical distance, our three-stranded cord remains intact. How thankful I am for that!

I can’t wait until my better half comes home. What a glorious day that will be!

© Alexa Lopez 2008