like fine wine.

I watched as my friend shared the way the Lord was showering her in consolation. Her eyes sparkled and she gushed as she poured out the lovely details. I couldn’t help but feel longing bubble up inside of me. It wasn’t too long ago that I was right there deep in the middle of my conversion, flying high in the dreamy consolations. Her joy beamed from her as she spoke, and I knew just how she felt. For a moment, I missed that honeymoon bliss. I ached for it again. I thought, maybe I have fallen away? But as quickly as doubt surfaced it was met with peace. The Lord spoke so clearly to my heart in that moment and I was whisked away into reflection.

Jesus is our Bridegroom. When we meet him, truly for the first time, the love is overwhelming. The veil of Heaven lifts and our hearts are face to face with the one who is love Himself. We notice Him in everything, in signs, in people, in prayer. His love shows up in ways only our hearts could recognize. The romance of it all is so unique to our story. Only He could know. Only He could lift you up off your feet and fill you up with such euphoric joy.

This is honeymoon bliss, He whispered, and then He showed me my marriage.

The love I have for my husband is much like the love I have for Jesus; unique to my heart, ever growing, and perfected with time. I thought back to my honeymoon, the uninterrupted time spent in paradise. A time just after the wedding veil was lifted, the love was new, exciting, and just ours. With Jesus, it was much the same. All the details and moments I was met by the Spirit were new, obvious, and just for me.

Years later, we are not spending our days walking the shore, sharing bottles of wine as the sun sets, or running off for another adventure. We are cooking dinner in the kitchen night after night, sharing laughs as we bathe our new baby, sitting in the silence of one another’s company, holding hands at mass every Sunday night, and paying the electric bill. From the outside it doesn’t seem as exhilarating as jet skiing with dolphins or water colored sunsets, but I have never loved him more. Through every trial and difficulty we gained fortitude. In the hard days and painful nights we built endurance. In the triumph and joyous moments we found our dreams together. I know him in a deeper way. I know his heart, his strengths, his virtues. I have learned how he loves and moves in this world to make it better than he left it. Loving him all this time and learning to love who he is for all he is has taught me about my own heart.

Now, I could just sit in a room with him, not saying a word. My love for him is deeper, I know him more now than in the blissful honeymoon beginnings. The Lord reminded me of this kind of love that is growing richer with time. My love with Him is so similar. He might not be speaking from a burning bush or painting words for me on a building anymore, but we can just sit about anywhere and be more in love now than ever before. There are still such exciting events and moments of grace to look forward to. Moments that may even remind us of that honeymoon bliss years ago, but the love we share now will only develop sweeter as time marches on.

As I continue to listen to my friend share in her bliss, I watch in awe as she is so loved by her Bridegroom. I reminisce on my own consolations with the Lord, and I pray that her love becomes richer and sweeter through the years. Whatever experiences and seasons life has in store, I pray her love story is only just beginning.

I’m praying for your love story too. Wherever it is, or if you are waiting its beginning. Accept His engagement today and let Him love you, grow old with you, share His dreams for you, and learn His heart more and more as the years go by.

“The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens to him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete.” // John 3:29

x courtney.