Thoughts of a Mrs. Modern-Day Mountain Woman Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Find the best partner to be a part of your company.

I remember the first time I met Mr. Modern-Day Mountain Man. It was my first Outdoor Education season after my first summer at a new camp. I was pretty worn out from a long and difficult summer experience. As I walked down the road that morning to work, I saw him visiting with a coworker of mine from the summer. He was tall and drinking a mug of coffee. I remember thinking to myself that he was not too bad looking and that he at least liked coffee. He told me much later, that he told his mom that night that he had found, “the one he would marry.” It took a bit of convincing for him to even get an actual date with me. I was not prepared to date anyone, especially someone who was serious from the start that this was “it”. God worked on both of our hearts though, and through His persistence and grace, brought us each to the point of marriage.

We are now in our 15th year of marriage. It seems, at times, that the time has gone so slowly, and at others like it’s just been the blink of an eye. We work well together. We realized through working at camp, that we actually work well together. We were always content to teach programs together, shovel and spread mulch, or rebuild a trail or fire pit. I have always felt, throughout our marriage, that when we are working at the same location, that our relationship is stronger than when we work separate jobs. Many people have said, “I could never work with my spouse all day and then go home to them,” but for us, it works, and works well. God chose a partner for me who could work with me in life and in love. What a blessing!

The Desires of my Heart.

Our children love the movie, Princess Bride. There is a scene where the priest is officiating the wedding for Buttercup and Prince Humperdinck. The priest has a pretend speech impediment, making it hard to understand. The translated version of what he says is, “Marriage. Marriage is what brings us together today. Marriage, that blessed arrangement, that dream within a dream. And love, true love, will follow you forever and ever.” Of course, it’s much sillier and more difficult to understand in the movie. Our kids love to copy his speech, and it’s just as silly to hear a bunch of kids say this. What this actor says though is true. Marriage does bring people together and it is a blessed arrangement. Many people dream and dream their whole lives about who they will marry and what their wedding will be like. They dream about their future and the lives they will lead as a married couple. God blessed my life with a husband who loves Him and follows His commands. He gave me the desires of my heart. Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Is choosing to stay with your marriage partner forever easy? Absolutely not!! It is not for the faint of heart. Remember how I said some days/years of our marriage have felt almost eternal? Marriage is work! Having and raising children is work! A lot of work! But, a godly marriage and the offspring of the godly marriage are a blessing and a gift of God.

The mountain man of the past would marry a woman who was willing to travel with him. Often times he would choose a Native American bride. He knew how important it was to have a partner in life, but also a partner who understands his career choice and is a helper. Adam had Eve. God created her to be his helpmate. They worked the ground together and created life. I’m so thankful that God chose to place my perfect helpmate in my life, and me in his. With him, I enjoy working and experiencing life. I am so blessed to have the perfect partner to be a part of my company. I am honored to be a part of his company as well. God truly has given me the desires of my heart.