The new year has begun with a near-record winter blast. We have been snowed in since Sunday night. A huge winter front came through and dumped between 5-7 inches of snow on us beginning Sunday around 9:30pm, on through the next day. Its truly become a "winter wonderland"! Its been all the more enjoyable, given the fact that we had our first Christmas snow in over 100+ years, then just 3 weeks later we get another big snow. Roads were iced over, snow blanketed everything, schools & businesses were closed, and have been for 2 days now. In fact, now we have an arctic cold front coming down from the Midwest, and night temps will dip into the teens overnights. We could be stuck for another few days, since the roads will refreeze every night. The girls are out in Athens and Kennesaw respectively, so its been Lisa, me, 4 dogs, and 2 snakes. And I've completely enjoyed my time with her.
We've made a snowman (more like a snowblob), carved snow angels, had several snowball fights, attempted to sled our driveway (unsuccessfully), took a long hike out through snow-covered woods behind our property, and enjoyed watching our dogs play in the snow until they were shivering and soaked. Indoors, we did a lot of cleaning and a few home repairs, put on a roaring fire, got in a lot of good reading in a lot of good books, baked some cookies, watched some TV, and dipped in the hot tub. Been a great time, just my baby and me.
I've gotten a taste of what life will be like when we are officially "empty-nesters". Our girls are scarce when college is in session, and with the storm, its been just Lisa & me, all day, every day, neither being able to even get to work. And I can honestly say, I have not gotten tired of spending time with her. The past few days have been very special with her, and I have loved every minute together. Lisa is truly my wife, my love, my best friend. More than even before, I know the years ahead for us will be joy-filled and intimate, as we grow old together.
Marriage is a love story set in a great war, ordained by God to be a picture of our life with Him, as John & Stasi Eldredge state in their new book, "Love & War". I'm all the more thankful to be journeying this life with Lisa, and a snowstorm has made me all the more convinced. God bless our road ahead.