Continued...

From the moment our daughter entered our world – the love between us just felt… different.

Although it was no longer about just the two of us, living in our teeny love-bubble, the air between us suddenly carried an air of compassion, understanding and respect – three things we so desperately needed in our marriage.

Things fell into place. Out of nowhere, the ground beneath us became much more steady. Safer, even. Ironic, considering we now had another life to be responsible for. That’s where perspective came into play.

The late nights out turned into late nights in, learning about shared responsibility and balance. With each, “You sleep babe, I’ll get up this time,” I fell even more in love. And I learned that this person loved me just as much in return. The compassion I so longed for in my marriage had finally made its entrance.

Instead of the “let’s get out of here,” looks from days past, I suddenly began catching my husband looking at me with admiration - a look that always seemed to say, “Wow, she gave me a child.” I was so much more than someone he enjoyed looking at. I was now the mother of his daughter – and the respect he gained for me could never be replaced by anything from before baby. It just couldn’t.

The petty arguments, the ones that led to the best make-ups, were gone now. Life became all about finding a compromise that would work best for our child.

There was no more “his way,” or “my way.” It became about “us”, our new little family, and the weight of that responsibility filled us with so much.

And just like that, marriage after baby became everything I never expected, but everything I always needed.

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