In life, storms are inevitable. They come in all shapes and sizes—some roll in like an afternoon shower, inconvenient but manageable, while others crash through like hurricanes, shaking us to our very core. When I look at this picture of Daniel and me, I’m reminded of the many storms we’ve faced together and the beauty of standing on the other side of them, hand in hand.

Marriage isn’t always easy - in fact, most of the time, it is hard, PERIOD. There have been times when the winds of life felt relentless, moments when it would have been easy to let fear, frustration, or exhaustion win. But in those moments, we learned one of the most profound truths: the only way to weather the storm is to lean into God and each other.

I’d be lying if I said we always got it right. Most of our lives we tried to do things our way, thinking we could fix everything on our own. Spoiler alert: it didn’t work. Every time we took the wheel, we ended up lost, frustrated, and more broken than before. It wasn’t until we truly surrendered—letting God take control—that we began to find peace in the chaos.

In the midst of trials, we discovered that perseverance isn’t just about surviving the storm; it’s about growing through it. It’s about choosing to stay rooted in faith, even when the ground feels like it’s giving way beneath you. It’s about learning to trust that God’s plans are far better than anything we could imagine, even when we can’t see the way forward.

Together, we’ve learned that God is the only answer. He is the anchor that keeps us grounded when everything else feels unsteady. When we’ve cried out to Him in desperation, He’s met us with His peace. When we’ve needed wisdom, He’s provided clarity. And when we’ve felt like giving up, He’s reminded us of His promises—that He works all things together for good and that His grace is always enough.

Looking back, I’m grateful for the storms, as strange as that sounds. They’ve taught us humility, strengthened our faith, and deepened our bond. Persevering through hard times with Daniel has been one of the greatest blessings of my life, not because it was easy, but because it was worth it. Every tear, every prayer, and every moment of surrender brought us closer to each other and closer to God.

If you’re in the middle of a storm right now, I want you to know this: it’s okay to feel weary, but don’t give up. Lean into God, lean into your people, and trust that this season won’t last forever. There is beauty on the other side, and it’s worth every bit of the fight to get there.

Daniel and I aren’t perfect—far from it—but we’re proof that with faith, perseverance, and a whole lot of grace, you can weather any storm. And when you come out on the other side, you’ll find that it wasn’t just about surviving; it was about growing, learning, and building something unshakable together.

So here’s to the storms—and to the God who brings us through them stronger, closer, and more in love than ever before.