Happily Ever After

When young, "happily ever after" was to be expected. it was an assumption that one day, everything works out. Good triumphs over evil, Prince comes on white horse (or silver ferrari), fairy-tale wedding takes place, and then comes the proverbal "happily ever after". Funny how fairy tales always end at the wedding. Didn't Cinderella have kids? How well did Sleeping Beauty and her husband get along? Would he complain that she slept too much? Who did the housework? oh wait. they all married princes/had fairy godmother. i suppose housework was never an issue.
As i grew, being one of the tail-end Gen X-er, the castles disappeared, and cynicism took their place instead. What prince? Why would i want to get married at all? There's no such thing as "happily ever after" - that's only for Disney stories. When a dose of Reality gets thrown into the equation, "happily ever after" seems to vaporize.
or so i thought.
But truth is, i think in many aspects, i am living in the "happily ever after". Not boringly simple like the last line in story books, but in little nuggets, hidden amongst the Realities.

Like marriage with Munch. Sure, we didn't have the grandest glitziest wedding, we're not like some storybook couple. Yet, so much of it is so ... ideal. Open communication, harmonious relationship, common passion. He's patient, encouraging, and so appreciative of every small thing i do.
And the pleasures we share... like waking up early for our daily prayer & breakfast. It's just... such a nice, fuzzy-warmy thing i get to enjoy EVERYDAY. And updating each other about our day in school, knowing that we're both understood and supported. Like strolling together, dining at a nice place occasionally... it's almost too good to be true, and better than simply "happily ever after".

And when i take a good look around, i find many other things that are so delightful. Like the lives that are changed and transformed, like the students who have grown in character and maturity and wisdom... Yeah, once in awhile things happen, and the boat seems to be rocked, yet when i look carefully, the growth is real and good!

i like the nuggets of "happily ever after" that i see.
it's not ALL perfect YET.
but for now, i am thankful for the nuggets.