striped sheets

Nineteen years ago today I got engaged.  I was over-the-moon-happy and immediately began to plan my dream wedding and our happily ever after.  After a round of showers,  I had a beautiful set of pink floral dishes that I couldn't wait to serve dinner on in our new apartment.  I had a white, battenburg lace duvet cover and soft yellow towels.  At some point Steve surveyed the goods and complained that his manhood might be at stake.  In the spirit of premarital compromise I stomped off to Target and found a blueberry and white striped sheet set that I could live with.  And everything was good again.


Nineteen years later our favorite sheets are faded and threadbare.  As I was making the bed one morning, I realized they should have been replaced a while ago.  I thought about that innocent, idealistic couple purchasing these sheets.  How they had no idea the ride they were in for.  I thought about how life wears all bright shiny things down until they are broken or faded.   I thought about when I had the swine flu and when I got my wisdom teeth pulled, my miscarriage, months of unemployment, taking both boys to the hospital,  losing loved ones, changes and challenges and dark nights.  It all has taken it's toll and sometimes I feel a bit....well, threadbare.


But then I remembered that true love is stronger than cotton sheets.  


It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away.  Song of Solomon 8:6,7


Nineteen valentines days and nights in those sheets.  Breakfasts in bed.  Mornings of sleeping in.  Cold mornings of prying ourselves out of their coziness.  Hot summer nights when all you need is a cool sheet to cover you.  Two brand new babies nestled between us.  Family wrestling matches.  The two of us curled up together night after night. All four of us snuggled in those sheets laughing and talking. 


They've been great sheets.  Best $29.99 I ever spent.  But I will buy new ones.  And what fun we will have wearing them out too.