Loving Through The {Worst}: Remember Where You Came From and Who Was With You Through It All

{photo by Kiekie Photography}

This article is culled from our wonderful partners at Black and Married with Kids.   It was written by Dr. Michelle Johnson for Blackandmarriedwithkids.com.

There was a time when my husband and I ate off of the dollar menu at McDonald’s. And when we slept on a mattress on the floor. When we opted for rabbit ears instead of cable to save money for gas. When we used popsicles to cool off in the summer heat because we couldn’t afford an air conditioner. We worked jobs we were over qualified for and drove cars that required too much maintenance. When we were finally able to buy a home, we spent years with empty rooms because furniture was just too expensive. Yet, we found joy in rolling around on the floor together and marveling at our new space. Although we were broke, we were still blessed.

• Blessed to have each other.
• Blessed to be healthy.
• Blessed to have jobs.
• Blessed to be in love.

Even though we no longer struggle to put food on the table or to pay our bills, we appreciate every cent that comes into the house. Every cent. We don’t take anything for granted, and we know that it is by hard work, faith in God, and love and support from each other and from family that we will continue to prosper.

Sometimes when couples make it through rough years—be they financial, emotional, or otherwise—there is a tendency to forget the past. Certainly we shouldn’t dwell in our history, but it’s important to remember where we came from. And it’s even more important to remember who was with us during the hard times.

Read the rest of the article at Black and Married with Kids.