There are several things that just seem to “click” from time to time. I am sure you could agree.
Like putting on new run or workout gear and feeling motivated. It just clicks in!
Like putting dark chocolate almond butter in Strawberry Raspberry Hot Oats from LoveGrown Foods. It’s a clicking combo!
Like making a strange but good recipe with the bare essentials left in your pantry. Goat Cheese, Carrot, and Olive Tuna Cakes. Yes, somehow this just clicked and I will be posting the recipe.
Like opening up your devotional and having God’s word just “click” with your heart and soul.
Like having neighbors who you just Click with and feed you well ALL the TIME. Yes, we’re spoiled!
Like clicking with your waitress right away because she has good taste in wine and appetizers. Plus she doesn’t rush you through dinner when it’s a special occasion.
Phone pictures of our gluten free salmon and caper bruschetta appetizer and a delicious Malbec. 
But Marriage… well… that took 5 years to click. Five years worth working on too!
It took 5 years of seeing each other at our lowest of lows and highest of highs, yet never leaving each others side.
It took 5 years of trying to change each other only to realize we can’t, we won’t, and we really don’t want to.
It took 5 years of trying to figure out how to make “our” plans mesh when really we needed to let go and LET GOD’s PLAN lead us.
It took 5 years for me to figure out that I can’t always fix a problem and sometimes the best way to help my husband is just to pray for him (us).
It took 5 years for me realize that needing to control everything only leads us nowhere! In fact, it backfires.
It took 5 years for us to realize that there is no such thing as a perfect husband, a perfect wife, or a perfect marriage. But we are PERFECT for each other.
It took 5 years to realize that Love and Respect are KEY ingredients in marriage. And when you wake up wanting to make that person’s day a little better, then you’ve found your purpose.
It took 5 years to realize that marriage isn’t about the happily ever after, it’s about STAYING TOGETHER…….ALWAYS!
picture on the left is us 6 years ago, newly engaged. Picture on the right is us last night, celebrating 5 GROWTH years of marriage. Yes, we tried to reenact it. ha!
We have many many more years of “growth” to experience, but there is no one else I’d rather grow with than my husband.
Cheers to 50 more years!
LC
This beautiful, Linds, and what I love most about it is it is SO honest. I appreciate that you didn’t just say “Hooray for us for making it to 5 years!” but said “THIS TOOK WORK!” As someone who is (sadly, sometimes) VERY single, I cannot necessarily relate, but I can relate to the idea of a relationship being a rocky road a lot more easily than I can the (often glossed-over) images of 100% wedded ease.
Anyways, congrats. 🙂
[And clicking with your waiter or waitress makes the meal SO much better, right?]
beautiful post, Linds! it’s awesome to read about everything you’ve learned in 5 years of marriage! hope you two had an amazing time celebrating your beautiful perfectly imperfect relationship. 🙂 xo
we sure did, thank you.. And i know you can relate to this post friend. We need to chat soon. Miss you and love you!
Y’all are so beautiful, inside and out [cue the corniness]- but seriously, you are so inspiring and congratulations on 5 years of love!
I had a “clicking” moment myself this morning after a tough night last night… No matter how much we want to be in control, sometimes it isn’t possible.
i love it allison! click away! and so glad to give up control when needed, yes?
I can’t even… my heart is melted. Ridiculously happy for you, friend. I love all of those things that you realized… I find that way too often, people just take the easy way out and don’t bother trying to work on a marriage, not realizing that just because it’s not all sunshine and rainbows doesn’t mean it’s not worth fighting for. Screw 50 – here’s to 60, 70, 80(??) more years 😀
i think they need to realize this BEFORE getting married too. A bind that never breaks, even if it tugged on
Happy Anniversary!
The devotional you posted here, clicks with me today. I needed a reminder to “fill up my faith cup”.
so glad friend. <3
LOVE THIS! and can’t help but notice y’all look even happier in the 5 year pic!
Awww!
Happy Anniversary to the cutest couple.
The side by side pics need to happen again in 2018.
oh you know it! gosh, 2018 sounds scary! yet its only 5 more years away. CRAZY!
Happy Anniversary! We hit 4 yrs of marriage on Wedsnesday, which is also 10 yrs of steady together-ness. Feels so weird, so fast. But so great too. Sometimes things really do just click and feel right!
PS – As soon as I entered my name/email/url there was a popup asking for the username/password for your blog. I just hit cancel and it let me continue with this comment, just thought I’d let you know.
oh i love that Heidi, and what a strong BOND you have today, Hard work but STROng!!
thank you for the comment issue too. I’ll look into it!
I love your posts. Always. Happy Anniversary to you and James, and I love that you emphasized the growth that took place during those 5 years. It’s the truth…Herrick and I had so many ups and downs the first few years of marriage (add not one, but two, kids within the first three years), and I was so thankful to celebrate our 5th together. It seemed to finally just “click”. (My best friend even mentioned that something suddenly changed and seemed just right on one of her visits down from CT.)
And you’ll probably be surprised to know this, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been to Church. A couple of years, actually. We’ve remained spiritual, though, and yesterday was when we went back. Mass was centered on coming out of the darkness and finding God’s light and allowing His star to guide you through life and about how many people in our lives can act as that light, too. Would it be cheesy to say that you, amongst others, have been a light in my life? 🙂
oh man, ain’t that the truth!! And you popped out some kiddos, impressive! so happy for you Melissa, and so glad we can ENCOURAGE each other out of darkness and into the light. yes!
TRUTH!!!
You look just as beautiful today as you did 6 years ago. All great things take a little work. I find that if comes too easily, it is usually not as worthwhile in the end – relationships included! Happy Anniversary!
thank you Beka. Your words sum it up PERFECTLY!
I seriously *needed* to hear that verse and that devotional excerpt today, Lindsay. THANK YOU for posting them 🙂
And happy anniversary you two love birds! Love the reenactment picture, but you BOTH look even happier in the righthand (recent) one!
i’m so glad i could share it. Sometimes God works through us, yes? Hugs!
Happy anniversary to you and James! That is awesome! May you two continue to grow in God’s love more an more each day <3
What a read! I love the ‘a-ha’ moments in life when things click. And it is awesome when those moments happen in our relationships in life. Your marriage sounds like it has such a strong foundation. Cheers to you and your husband for building on that together. Happy Anniversary!
Thank you Amanda. A cheers is definitely needed! <3 AH-HA!
sixteen years here this week too.
congrats! You make a great TEAM! Hope you get to celebrate in SF with something special.
<3
That Bible message is absolutely beautiful. Bookmarking.
I am coming up on 5 years of marriage and you put so many thoughts into amazing words. I am so happy for you two, and to think you’re really still beginning your journey.
To 50 more years!
I loved to read your thoughts about your past 5 years of marriage. It just came in time and was so full of wisdom!
I’ve clicked with a person. Somebody who I’ve been knowing for several years now, but it really clicked just very recently. I’m going to marry that person, but I often get reactions of non-understanding from the people around me, who say that you have to go through all kinds of challenges together *before* you are “allowed” to marry. I don’t think so. I know this person well enough to know that I want to spend my life with him. Our relationship is based on love, respect, and mutual support, and we have a very good and positive way to communicate with one another and handle each other. I believe that marriage itself is the way of learning and growing, and not some award you get after having learned and grown, as a kind of reward medal. Life *is* learning and growing, and there will always be situations and challenges you haven’t tested before. So what it takes is trust, in oneself and the other person and the relationship and finally in life and in God, plus the readiness to commit and the motivation to really try. Thank you for your thoughts on this, they were really encouraging to read and just what I needed today.
so happy for You Kath! God does have a plan for you. Trust Him and pray often. Sending hugs your way! <3
love it. Often times things “click” when I read your words!! 😉
HAPPIEST of Anniversaries!! Congrats!! “A cord of three strands….” 😉
i love that saying, yes, three strands. Amen!
What a lovely, lovelyyyy post! And a beautiful couple.
CONGRATS! – that’s love:)
You two are awesome and beautiful inside and out! Marriage is hard and you guys are inspiring!
PS those cheese, olive, tuna etc cakes sounds unreal!
i love that this post is so “real” and how you try to depict an accurate image of your marriage and not making it seem like some unrealistic fairy tale
it’s far from it, but worth it, always! <3
Happy Anniversary! That’s a lot of clicking 🙂
Happy Anniversary Cotters!!! You two are the CUTEST.
And your strange but good tuna cakes? YES PLEASE.
you will like these tuna cakes. goes well with beer. hehe.
ANd thank you for your kind words.
What a powerful devotional. I have a feeling I’ll be reflecting on those words often. Happy Anniversary! It is lovely to hear someone speaking the way you do about your marriage and your partner!
honesty is the best policy, yes?!
Congratulations on 5 wonderful (learning!) years! 🙂
thank you Brittany, learning indeed!
Happy Anniversay to you guys! And you speak so much truth when it comes to not being able to change the other person, but in the end you shouldn’t have to or really want to. Part of relationships is loving the other person regardless and have them love you regardless. I’m so glad you guys have learned how to “click”
I hope all the best for you and am happy so many things are “clicking”!
such wise word Lindsay! you and james have it right……be committed to the marriage and support each other 100%. fortunately i have this too but i had to go through a bad marriage first to learn these wise things. continue being good to eachother 🙂
but the fact is you are stronger now, and your marriage is stronger now for it, right? We love YOU both so much, our inspiration.
Congrats! You guys are so cute 🙂
excited for YOU and YOUR big day!
Congrats guys! Awesome work – here’s to another 50 years!
cheers to that! hugs Lou. I know i say this a lot, but its true, i miss U!
You gave me goose bumps reading this! You two are so beautiful and cheers to 50 more years. Well said as always Cotter! Hugs! xoxo
hugs hugs, now get your butt here so we can celebrate lots of good things!
Awesome post in every way possible! Marriage is trying and has it’s ups and downs, but it’s so amazing as well. And yes, we shouldn’t try to change our spouses, after all we accepted them for who they were before when they proposed, right?
Just want to say your last few posts, along with Christine’s, have helped guide me towards what I intend to do for myself in 2013. Thanks for the inspiration!
thank you for sharing! we are all here to support each, yes!
Happy Anniversary!! You two do click well! I love the pics! You should do one of them every year. It is a great pic of both of you!!
awwwwww this is so great 🙂 love it and happy anniversary to you & your hubby! i love learning lessons from other couples – it makes me better prepared for when you find me a kiwi hahaha
i’ve been an eyeing a few kiwis for you. let’s just say they are “in training.”
Happy Anniversary!
thank you friend. <3
WHAT A PRECIOUS POST LINDSAY!!!!! CUTE CUTE CUTE. Absolutely love it.
And omg chocolate and raspberries – that’s one way to my heart!
i’ll feed you chocolate and raspberries any day! my twin. <3 YOU!
Beautiful, Lindsay! Congratulations again on 5 years. Every year brings more ups and downs and more challenges, but also more growth, more blessings, and more love! You two are lucky to have one another :). Blessings to you both!
i am lucky, indeed! hope we get to meet you and you hubby someday soon too!
I love this post…you made SO many good points about how marriage takes work…My husband and I have only been married 7 months but we’ve been together for 6 years, and we’ve definitely gone through trials, but we never give up on each other or our relationship. There are always lessons to be learned! That cheesy cliche that “love always wins” is absolutely true 🙂
that is key, never giving up. Love love it!
I LOVED this post. period. you have quite a gift with words. I LOVE the devotional you put up – like it was meant for me. Where is that from?
My 8 year wedding anniversary is on tuesday, lots of life and three kids later and we are still making it click – always figuring it out together.
Here’s to MANY happy, “clicking” years to you and your hubs. You guys are adorable!:)
happy anniversary to you katie! enjoy it, the strength you developed from it, and just clicking. Thanks for encouraging words!
Beautiful words, and so true about marriage. Congratulations on 5 years and cheer’s to many more! xoxo
thank you Lisa! <3 your kindness.
I just LOVE you guys so much. I LOVE how much you’ve grown together — particularly this past year and I LOVE how much you devote to one another and to eachother’s own personal growth too. You two just click and continue to click and I am so happy for you guys. Such a proud and loving couple you are — I love how proud and adoring Mr. Cotter’s face is in that pic on the right 😉
PS I am with you on all of the above — marriage is WORK but it’s worth-it work, the best ‘job’ I’ve ever accepted 🙂
aww!! love this – the clicking message is so right on and you are showcasing that life and marriage and even workouts aren’t always perfect, but that’s the beauty in that, you learn from it all and eventually, it clicks! Happy anniversary you two! you are my inspiration 🙂
love you both!!
happy anniversary
Congrats – your photos say it all!
Love the honesty & openness and the dark chocolate + hot oats combo! 😉 Happy anniversary!!
i knew you’d like that combo. Cheers!
Love this post Lindsay! Happy Anniversary!! Cheers to many many more
indeed! and thanks for putting up with us crazy cotters!
Now imagine how perfect you will both be in another 5?!? 😀
Happy Anniversary. I didn’t even know it, but I was drinking a Malbec last night too. I’d never had it before but something compelled me to open that bottle up. Now I know why!
seriously? man, we need to be neighbors. like ASAP!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! Love this post!
Been married 29 years & will hit 30 in October this year. It took me way longer than 5 years so you are ahead of the game! 🙂
that’s so wonderful! I bet you did learn these lessons early on, just didn’t realize it. You are so wise!
I LOVE this post. So happy that while neither of you may be perfect, you are perfect for each other and working on making everything work. Happy anniversary.
P.S.- You look the exact same a 6 years ago.
haha, thanks Abby! now let’s hope i look the same in 5 more years. EEK!
Cheers to you and James!
and cheers to you newly weds! congrats again!
I love this post—so many goood lessons in there! Congrats on 5 years and here is to another 50! 🙂
What also clicks is when God just happens to put such an awesome inspirational person in your life right when they need it. Loving getting to know you, the hubs, and y’all’s journey!! 🙂
and I am so thankfor that GOD put you in my life. Loving learning and knowing YOU more!
Aww…I love this! Perfection is impossible, but loving each other through it all is so worth it. God is painting a great picture with you both and it’s fun to watch it develop. Happy Anniversary!!
thanks friend! I am so thankful to have your biblical wife encouragement!
Happy Anniversary!!! I love you guys. And you both still look as young in your 6 years ago picture as you do today! 🙂 Hope you enjoy your weekend!!
oh thanks Alysia. I’ll take that compliment. LOL!
Congrats on a beautiful 5 years!!! You guys are so sweet together – and HOW have you not aged ONE day? I want whatever you’re on. 😉
bahaha, i’ve aged. My camera just has great filters. But i like aging, so it’s all good, yes?
This is so amazing – you guys are so neat, Lindsay! So honest to share that there are ups and downs in marriage – it’s so true! Cheers to more years of growth! It’s really true that we don’t grow in sunshine but because of the rain, as corny as it sounds. 🙂 Blessings on you guys!
you two have been a blessing in our lives, so thank YOU for always encouraging!
Congrats on celebrating 5 years married!
thank you Danielle! Happy Sunday!
Beautiful post. You made me tear up! You and your husband are so sweet and give me hope for the future!
oh you have a future, for sure. And God’s timing is everything. Plus, i’m picky and want only the BEST for you. So the process is longer, k? Youre one of a kind, for reals! 😉
You both are just so perfect for each other! Happy Anny again! <3
love you, always!
That made my heart melt. And, I just read it to my husband–as best I could–gosh I’m a mushball. What a great post that you’ll read back on over the years, full of insight, love and lessons. Happy Anniversary!
oh I’m a mushball too! Hugs hugs!
Happy anniversary, Cotters! I also love your line about not being the perfect husband or wife but being perfect for each other- so great!
We’re up for our five years this September. It’s hard to believe how quickly it’s gone by!
i feel like we live parallel lives with out husbands. LOL!
happy anniversary you two! your words are (as always) wise – things that are worth it require hard work – but it is work you are willing to do, as the rewards are Oh, So Great!
cheers!
amen to that! rewards outweigh the work 10 fold! hugs friend.
Love this! You two are adorable. Happy Anniversary! xoxo
thank you friend! Love how we can relate with marriage. <3
Yes! I love your line about no perfect husband, perfect wife or perfect marriage- but you can be perfect for each other and figure it out along the way. Congrats again on your anniversary! That last picture is too cute.
thank you!! i know i can look to you for marriage advice down the road. hehe.
That bit about realizing you can’t fix everything but sometimes just have to be there and support… Yes, that!
took me too long to figure out too. 😉
Love this post so much! Happy anniversary 🙂 You both still look exactly the same! xoxo
too kind, but i will accept that! thank YOU!
Your posts always make me think. Which is why I keep coming back for more! I was thinking the other day that marriage is not supposed to be easy. It’s not easy to live with the same person and be around them all the time let alone keep a happy balance of emotions. It takes some work to bring two different people together 🙂
totally! and totally worth it in the end! hard work but even greater rewards!
Awww love this post! Love it when things just click the way they’re meant to just like you and James!
We are blessed to have such great men who “get” us, yes? Cheers to that friend!
Congratulations on five years! What you say about working-working-working at it is SO TRUE. There is no perfect, just trying better tomorrow and staying with it today!
amen! always a better tomorrow! thank you Addy
Happy Anniversary!! Cheers!