Rock bottom

Erin has been encouraging me since the creation of this blog to be involved in it. I have always called it “her” blog because our views are in such stark contrast to each other. I didn’t want to confuse anyone or make it a “his side, her side” thing. Or at least it was the lie I told myself. 

I don’t know what all is true today. I don’t know what all is a lie anymore. 

I know this to be true. I know this to be a tick mark in the positive column for team TSL. I know we have essentially the same strong personality and unwavering character. And we want the same outcomes in our relationships, inside and outside of our house. (This is why we got married!) Erin and I are on two completely different paths to get there. (This is why we fight!) And here is what I COMPLETELY FORGET ON A CONSTANT, there is not a better path. Just two DIFFERENT paths. 

Erin and I have come to a juncture, where, unfortunately, we are just married. Bound by an ideal. (This is awesome! See above paragraph!) We each have our own picture, mostly the same picture, of what this is supposed to look like. What we individually are working toward. And what we want as a team.

And an even more broad picture, each of the kids has their idea of what this should look like. 

It hurts to say, but Erin is very right, casa de Snodgrass is not standing very strong right now. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. Spiritually. Life is not ever easy. And why would we want it to be. What kind of growth would kickin back on a sunny beach, cold drink in your hand, burying your feet in the hot sand, and staring out at the crystal blue ocean provide? That is why it is called a vacation!! Slackers! Get back to work! Lol. We are starting a redesign. I think. 

Erin says in her last post, 

“So, help me heal and listen along… I hope along the way you and I both start to see me fall back together again.”

A little re-context-ing and a few simple word changes:

“So, help US heal and listen along… WE hope along the way you ALL and WE both start to see ALL OF US fall back together again.”

Because, in the team you will find yourself.

This is not a recap of our adventures, how we overcame “X”. We are at a low and want to bring you up with us. This is real. Real time. 

I, and I am going to say Erin also, feel like we want to, dare I say, “normalize” the IMMENSE amount of effort needed to keep a growing relationship on track. The doors and windows are open for all to peek inside. For all to come inside and share, with ideas and strategies for growing closer and stronger together. Whether it’s spouse, kids, work, money, fitness, diet, mental health, etc.

Would it be too forward for me to assume Erin and I are not the only ones having a difficult time?