I wasn’t always thankful for my ball and chain. But I am today.
Now, before I start a riot: No, I don’t regularly call my husband that ;-) But I also don’t think it is an entirely negative phrase.
By definition, the modern usage of ball and chain in a relationship is this: something that limits one’s freedom or ability to do things.
Yep. Marriage definitely limits my freedom and my ability to do some things. (Parenting – even more so!)
But after almost 20 years, my perspective has shifted to see that is has ALSO opened up freedoms and abilities I would otherwise never have experienced.
Are you as familiar with the idea of The Love Chain?
Well, I heard of it from a lovely couple named Sky & Jeanne a few years ago. They explained it this way:
When you first get together, you are a single point, on a single link. As time passes, you grow apart and move away from each other down opposite sides of the link. You then may choose to reconnect and come together. When that happens, another link is formed.
Time passes and again, you feel the distance between you – sometimes physical - sometimes emotional. If you choose to come back again, you add to the chain. Each time you choose to reconnect, your Love Chain becomes stronger and stronger. You may move apart because of work ambitions, travel, grief or for reasons not even clear.
But your relationship is not really measured by how many times you grow apart. It is measured by how many times you choose to come back together.
When I say I am thankful for my ball and chain, I really mean I am thankful for the strength of our Love Chain. Each link has been hard won with vulnerability, courage, and forgiveness.
And while I am working alongside a partner who shares my values and goals, I realize that it is not always possible to choose to reconnect. There is real abuse in our world and times when a partner just won’t meet in the middle for example – but that only deepens my desire to celebrate wherever you may be in your journey.
In honor of my own Love Chain, I am releasing a very limited Anniversary Portrait Special.
(And you do NOT need to be married to take advantage of it!)
But if you book one of these sessions before my anniversary month, you’ll receive a beautiful gift. Right now, it is only open to newsletter subscribers, so grab one before they go public!
And thank you, for choosing to celebrate with me!
with love,
Kat
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