I have a sign hanging near our breakfast table that reads:

In this house..
We are real.
We make mistakes.
We say I’m sorry.
We give second chances.
We have fun.
We give hugs.
We forgive.
We do REALLY loud.
We are patient.
We love.

And it’s all true… especially the really loud part!

But what I love about this sign and why it’s been hanging in our house forever is because the overwhelming sentiment is that we are expecting that mistakes are going to happen… and it’s going to be ok.

You are going to make mistakes in love. You’re going to have to work to clean them up. And you can come out the other side.

You have to allow for the fresh start.

There cannot be an expectation of perfection in love, because we are simply too human to make that work. 

Now, I’m not saying the secret to success in love is to ignore the hurt or tolerate really bad behavior.

But what I am saying, is that the two of you must be willing to dig in… together… when mistakes are made and do the work to heal those wounds… so the two of you can be ok… together.

Allow for a fresh start in love because you’ve done all the work to heal together.

I know it’s not easy AND I also know it’s possible.

I’m here if you need me,

-A

P.S. If the idea of a fresh start feels overwhelming and unrealistic, please reach out. I’m here to be a support as the two of you work to heal… together.