Last week, I unplugged with my husband to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. We planned a trip many months ago to the tropical paradise of Aruba. With my husband’s extensive business travel last year, we got the entire trip for free which made it even more exciting.
Monday morning, we finally boarded the plane headed south, thrilled with this amazing childless weeklong celebration. Halfway through the flight, my husband said he wasn’t feeling well. I handed him the travel sick bag from his seat pocket and sent him off to the tiny bathroom just a few rows in front of us.
Not even 60 seconds later, I watched this man I’ve adored for the past 16 years of my life, one of the strongest human beings I know, drop to the ground. I slammed my tray shut, throwing my belongings everywhere and ran to his side as he laid there unconscious. My mind, being one that goes to dark places fast, already had me convinced of the worst. My heart completely broke sitting beside my love on that floor while fellow passengers rushed to our aid.
As only God could arrange, my husband’s handsome graying head landed directly between the feet of an ER doctor and an ER nurse. I backed away so these medical professionals could properly assess the situation. They came to the conclusion the sinus medication he took that morning conflicted with his blood pressure pill which caused him to pass out.
He continued to struggle with consciousness and illness throughout the rest of the flight. I entered my anniversary trip in Aruba following my husband’s wheelchair being pushed by airport paramedics. They agreed with the assessment of our new friends from the plane, put us in a taxi, and sent us to our hotel.
We spent our first 2 vacation days looking across the room at each other from separate beds, both dizzy and sick. Finally, on the third day, I arranged for us to see a local doctor. She diagnosed my husband with bronchitis and me with stress from our flight incident. As soon as he had medication and a treatable condition, I instantly felt better.
This is marriage. Loving someone so much that you hurt when they are sick. Worrying in such an overwhelming way about your partner that you end up physically ill in the bed beside them.
Almost every night of the week we spent in that beautiful room, there was a wedding right outside our door. We watched from our balcony at least a few moments of each of the breathtaking ceremonies under a simple wooden altar. The one that stood out the most for me included a little girl standing by the bride’s side the entire time. I’m certain she was her daughter.
That gorgeous scene took me back 15 years to the day I stood by my daughter and married this incredible man, now coughing non-stop beside me. This man who became my husband and my daughter’s father on the same day. He has done an absolutely extraordinary job in both of these roles throughout our life together.
There have been many times over the years where I’ve tried hard to destroy what we’ve built. My examples growing up weren’t the best. My father had severe fidelity issues and my mom married several times throughout my childhood. I guess I thought if you weren’t getting along with someone, you separated, regardless of marital status.
But my husband fought for me every time. He taught me marriage is forever. He continues to show me how to love unconditionally every day.
Here is the truth about marriage: it is hard. There are ugly sick days, out of control fights, and times you just don’t think you can spend another full day with that human being.
Choose the one who you not only want to hang out on a tropical island with, but also would be your top pick to lay sick in bed next to in that same paradise. Marry the person who will fight for you when you have nothing left to give. And more than anything, love your partner unconditionally, in sickness and in health…
This selfless, unconditional love is what I’m most grateful for this Thanksgiving week.
I’m happy to report our vacation ended well with a full beach day and cabana time by the pool. The night in between those two glorious days we had an incredible dinner with our feet in the sand mere inches from the ocean.
I’ve decided to take a month off over the holidays (12/5-1/5) to hang out with my family. Thankfully, our children are finally starting to forgive us for leaving them home during our vacation. Please make sure we are connected on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter so we can stay in touch during my month away from this online space.
Come back next week to meet my dear friend and her adorable daughter. She will be guest posting about her inspiring adoption journey.
Hello…hopping over from Holly’s link-up where I am your neighbor! Oh, my! I am SO sorry your husband had to go through such an awful ordeal…and on your dream vacation, to boot. Bless your dear hearts! So thankful you were both well enough to at least enjoy some of your time there. May God continue to heal you both and give you many more years together!
I’m so glad to be your neighbor, Cheryl! We are definitely feeling better now. My poor hubby started improving greatly the day we left. I felt so bad for him. Thanks for your well wishes!
A great read even for the single. 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Candace, thank you for this beautiful reminder this morning. I’m happy your anniversary got back on track and am always in awe of how the right people are placed in our paths when we need them. I needed you this morning 🙂 xoxo, P
We were so thankful for all of the medical people who came forward to help, Pamela. I couldn’t believe the blessing of the ER doctor and nurse being right there. I’m always in awe of that as well. Thanks for stopping by :)!
Thank you, Lux! It’s always great to see you :).
My heart fell when I began your words because I was thinking the worst about your husband too. I am so glad that everything is okay. What a scary way to begin your anniversary trip but what a beautiful lesson of love God showed you. Leave it to God to show up big sometimes to make us aware of our beautiful blessings. Praying you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Love you!
One of my biggest fears is him having a heart attack, Mary. I was certain that is what happened. God really did show up big for us! Much love and many blessings to you this Thanksgiving week, my friend.
Oh Candace … to see you close and cozy and beautiful in that last picture brought tears to my eyes. I’m so grateful that you are both ok … and though I will miss you this next month, I just know that you’ll love the time with your precious family.
Blessings, girl …
The vacation ended on a beautiful note, Linda. We are very grateful. I will miss you next month too, my friend. It seems like I’ve been led to many blog breaks lately, but they have each been much needed. I hope you and your sweet family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
OH CANDACE!!! What a HORRIBLE and TERRIFYING start to your precious vacation week together!! Oh sweet friend, how I adore your message here. Marriage is hard. Lots and lots of sacrificial work. I’m just so sorry you both had to suffer for much of your free days in such beautiful paradise!
I love how you captured that wedding with the little girl by the bride’s side… and how deeply it resonated with your own wedding day. My heart just SWELLS knowing your man has fought for you and loved you through it all.
I will be thinking of you and praying for you during your time off, my dear friend. I too, am taking the month off!! I’m so excited about it, and nervous too. Letting go is not going to be easy- but oh I know God wants me to. I’ll trust Him with this, and dive deep into the season and my precious time with Him. <3
It was terrifying, Chris. That’s for sure, my friend. Thankfully, it got much better by the end of the week. My husband is such a trooper. I will be thinking of you and praying for you as well! I’ve taken a lot of breaks this year from the blog. I know it’s much more of a rarity for you ;). You will love your time away, I’m sure of that. The tough part sometimes can be coming back, but you will know when it is time. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Wow, Candace I’m so glad I found you (and this post) on #RaRaLinkup. I was worried for your husband at the beginning of the story but I am so relieved that there was a happy ending. Life is like that sometimes too. And marriage for sure has it’s ups and downs but if we stick with it, with God’s help we can see the silver lining. Wishing blessings to you and your family for the holidays!
God has certainly brought my husband and I through some tough times, Marva. You are so right about the ups and downs. It’s definitely worth fighting for. Many blessings to you and your family as well!
Oh Candace, this brought tears to my eyes. I’m sorry your trip didn’t go as planned but so happy your hubby didn’t have something more serious. That must have been such a scare! So glad you still had a special time at the end. I’m so moved by your description of what marriage should be with that selfless, unconditional love. I will really miss your posts, but I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year!
Thanks so much, Trudy! I will miss you too, my friend. I’ll be posting an article from a dear friend of mine next week before I go on my break. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving week! Hopefully we will chat before I break for Christmas :).
Thank goodness he was okay! How scary. Glad you both recovered and were still able to enjoy a bit of your vacation! Hope you have a great blogging break 🙂
It ended on a very happy note so that was certainly a blessing. I’m looking forward to the break, but always miss familiar faces like yours while I’m gone, Akaleistar :). Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Encouraged by your honest hope in the power of love and the beauty of marriage. I am so glad your husband recovered from that scary ordeal and that you were able to enjoy the paradise even in the midst of all that happened.
Happy 15th Anniversary to you!
Blessings,
Dawn
Thank you, Dawn! Marriage is a beautiful connection, even with the darker days. Aruba is truly paradise. I guess we will just have to go back to enjoy a full healthy week ;).
Glad to hear the health issues were diagnosed quickly and your trip ended on a happy note. Seems the older we get and the longer we marry, there is a lot of “through sickness..”. And I get very stressful when hubby gets sick. I don’t know why because I didn’t before we got married if someone was ill. I am truly grateful for the 13 years hubby and I have had together and so grateful for my new friend Candice. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.
I so agree with you on the extra “through sickness” part that comes with age, my friend! It is incredibly stressful when our husbands are sick. They are supposed to stay around until the end with us. I’m so grateful for our friendship as well, Tammy. We really connect on many levels :). I hope you and your people have a wonderful holiday season too!
Wow! I am certainly sorry to hear your vacation started off so rough. I do however love how God already had the right people in the right places before you ever even knew there was a problem. He is so good like that! I’m glad to hear things turned out for the good. Loved reading this & I love you Candace!
God is amazing like that, Tonya! We just couldn’t believe all of the things He put in place for us through this ordeal. I love you dearly, my friend! Thanks for being here :).
Hi Candace
Praise Lord to see you and your husband back home safe and sound. It was a blessing from the Lord to have a Doctot and a Nurse helping you when the accident happened while you were still in the flight. God is amazing, always taking care of us, his children, even without we preparing for it.
The photos are so beautiful too, thanks for sharing with us sweet sister xx
Love
Nazila
Thank you, Naz! God is so amazing. We were blown away by all He provided for us. When we checked in the hotel, we had even been given a free upgrade to a room with one of the best views in the hotel. That came in very handy on the days we were stuck in the room sick :). Overall it was a wonderful vacation!
Candace
First of all, happy thanksgiving!
Secondly—wow, what a story. I am in awe of the palpable love you express so beautifully here…… you are both such extraordinary people Candace. I;m definitely blessed to have you i my life.
Also, happy anniversary!!! And the picture of all of you at the altar with your daughter looking out and you and your husband exchanging vows is unreal. How perfect.
Thanks for a beautiful message this AM. I hope your thanksgiving is fantastic Candace
Happy Thanksgiving, Chris! I’m so blessed by you as well, my friend :). That is one of my favorite wedding pictures. She is so much more interested in what’s happening in the audience. My little curious girl. She hosted us at her house for the first time today. It’s crazy how fast they grow up! She did an awesome job. I hope you and your house full of boys had a wonderful day.
Candace, I love this post so much. Thank you for sharing that story…I can totally relate to that feeling of being sick over the sickness of a loved one (or my own worry and my mind going to the worst place). You have honored your husband in such a beautiful way here, and it brought me to tears. Enjoy your break!!! Thanks for sharing with us at #RaRaLinkup
Thank you for your sweet words and for hosting the linkup this week, Angela. It’s always such an inspiring party. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
God is good. Isn’t it amazing that there was an ER doctor and nurse on flight to help with your husband and that he fell right at their feet. I’m so happy to hear that he is doing better and that it wasn’t too serious. I hope you enjoy your time off and enjoy your family. Congrats on 15 years of marriage.
He is doing much better, Sonya. Thanks for the well wishes! I’m looking forward to the time off with my people :). I’m starting my break next week. God really is so good. We are still talking about the perfect location of that doctor and nurse. We are very grateful for them.
Oh wow, what a scare and what an ordeal. My heart just broke as I read this.
I am so glad your husband is on the mend and that you were able to enjoy at least one day of beach bliss.
Happy Anniversary to both of you.
If we don’t connect before your break, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and wishing you all the best in the new year.
Blessings to you and yours.
xoxo
The last couple of days were pretty blissful, Jennifer. I’m glad we were able to get him some medicine to start healing while we were there. Many blessings to you and yours as well! I’m hoping to make it to your Shine party this week before my break :).
Wow scary! I am so glad everyone is OK now! What a beautiful post and description of your marriage story and journey.
Thank you, Jen! It was incredibly scary. I think seeing our husbands crumble in any way is always devastating. He is such a rock to me. All is well now though :).
Hi Candace! Oh my gosh, what an experience! I think I would have flipped out myself in the airplane. What a mercy that there were such wonderful medical people on board who could help your husband. I know it was terrible, but at least it wasn’t worse!
I’m so thankful that you chose just the right man for you and your daughter. It’s a wonderful thing to know that your husband is exactly the man you thought he’d be…thoughtful, loving and in love with you. That’s worth celebrating!
Have a wonderful month off, as you prepare for the Christmas holiday. As you know, I’ll be off too. So…see you next year, and may God continue to bless you in the days ahead.
Ceil
I really did flip out, Ceil. I was like a crazy woman screaming for help. God definitely put the right people in our path to help. We are so thankful.
I hope you have a wonderful month off as well. Many blessings to you and your family over Christmas break, my friend!
YES CANDACE!!!! Here is the truth about marriage: it is hard. There are ugly sick days, out of control fights, and times you just don’t think you can spend another full day with that human being.
This post has heart. I love every bit of it. Cheering you!
It can be so hard, Kelly, but so worth it :). Thanks for your continued cheers, my friend. Happy New Year!