How did you feel about not being able to connect with each other after returning from Boston? HDIFAMA?

Dear LORD:

Thank you that Ruth and I are dialogging today. I have missed this aspect of our relationship that has become very important to me. We need to make this a priority. It is so important. Please gift us with the grace to do that.

MDDL:

Your MEQ today has been the way you have been using your "thank yous", "your welcomes", "I'm sorries", and "excuse mes". This has been a very noticeable change in your previous way of communicating. I think the negative example of Brenda is having an impact in your life. It makes my ears smile! I love our little sweetnesses together when this happens.

The way I felt about not being able to connect with each other after my return from Boston this Wednesday night was disconnected. I guess that goes without saying, but I cannot think of a better way to describe it. I felt disconnected from you. We worked through a very stressful conflict while I was in Boston (the miscommunication about my not responding immediately to your call on my cell phone), and eventually by telling you what was happening with me emotionally, we were able to connect on that one. However, the exchange (and the whole situation of Jeanae's participation in the play), was extremely stressful and emotional for both of us. Then all the work that we have had to do to get Jeanae's application to NCSA has been like another part time job for both of us.

I spent several hours on Friday and Saturday working on this. It's like it is sucking up all of our spare time.

Eventually, this will be over. Thank God. I am tired.

Then of course there was our mild conflict yesterday which we were eventually able to work through. Also somewhat stressful on both of us. I did enjoy the way you came back to me, though.

I need to be closely and intimately connected with you. That simply has not happened this week until now. Except for perhaps a few isolated moments (like when I connected with you about my emotional state while I was in Boston over the issue of Jeanae and the play). But when I travel, and when we are dealing with issues like Jeanae's education, frequently our relationship gets pushed onto the back burner.

That cannot happen any more. We need to make this a priority. We need to keep dialogging, connecting emotionally, and staying intimate and connected.

The way I feel about my answer is encouraged. I am glad that we are taking the time right now to be connected, to relate to each other emotionally, and to understand each other at the heart level. This is what I want with all my heart, and I am so glad that you are open to me in this way.

My feeling of encouragement is definitely a 10. I would describe it as like the color forest green, full of life and promise. It is like when you are on a hike in a beautiful forest, and you are coming close to the end of the trail. You are tired, but you realize that you are almost there, and you become very encouraged and energized to make a strong finish.

In terms of a shared experience, it is like the feeling of encouragement that I felt when you took the initiative to look for a job and landed it. That was amazing to me! I was so proud of you! You are an amazing, wonderful woman!

Know that I love you deeply and truly, that you are the only woman in the whole wide world that I will ever love, and that you are my heart.

Love,
Me