Read Online Happily Ever After: The Life-Changing Power of a Grateful Heart by Trista Sutter - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Trista Sutter
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her, I have every confidence that in his in-laws he would have wonderful marital role models. Role models with hearts full of gratitude.
W ARM T OES = A W ARM H EART
Holidays are among the best times of the year to show you care. I’m definitely a fan of thoughtfully expressing your love on the days that aren’t related to a holiday, but at the very least, the days of celebration in your culture should be recognized with appropriate gifts. And if you give from a place of love, odds are that the recipient will lovingly accept your gift. Remember the wise words of author Eileen Elias Freeman: “It isn’t the size of the gift that matters, but the size of the heart that gives it.”
When Ryan and I were first together, we were having a casual conversation about gifts. He asked me to name the worst gift I had ever received: socks. As a lifetime wearer of plain white socks, I just never saw the appeal. People usually can’t see them, so why go to the effort? But in that moment, I realized that I had just cast my line out into a sea of cheesy foot coverings and would no doubt be reeling some in the next chance my future husband got.
It turned out that he got that opportunity during our first secret rendezvous arranged by the producers of The Bachelorette. We were holed up in a little apartment in Los Angelesand decided that since we weren’t contractually allowed to be together on December 25, we would make the most of the time we were being given to exchange gifts before Santa got on his sleigh. Lo and behold, box after bag after bag after box was filled with what I had told him were my least favorite gifts, accompanied by a few hats as well. I had never appreciated them before, but Ryan changed all that—especially after I read the silly poem he wrote to go with them:
Why Socks?
Everybody loves diamonds, rings, chains of gold
But what good are diamonds when your feet get cold.
Oh no, there can only be two things for that.
A good pair of socks and a stocking hat.
One hat should do, but when it comes to socks,
They get dirty quick . . . you may need a box.
At least a drawer full. Pair upon pair.
Keep them in a drawer, next to your underwear.
I appreciate the little things, the socks of this life.
So I’ll never forget the importance of my fiancée or wife.
Think of them not as a gift, but a guarantee
That I’ll always love you . . . warm, soft, and wool-free.
Think about how many times you’ve been given a gift that couldn’t have been further from your style. You say thank you, but not for what you just opened. You say it because your mama taught you proper manners and because you know that the old cliché about it being the thought that counts was spot on.
That Christmas I didn’t really want or need a drawer full of comical and cozy socks. Every time I unwrapped another pair, though, my laughter became more genuine and my heartmore full. He had managed to show me that it was truly the little things that could make me feel the most love. And to this day, the little things are what I cherish the most.
A B LESSED B ROKEN R OAD
When I first heard the song “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts, it was instantly one of my all-time favorites. If you’ve heard neither their version nor the original recording by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, head to iTunes and take a listen. It’s a poignant song about how all relationships, especially the ones that shatter our hearts into teeny-tiny pieces, lead us to the one we are ultimately meant to find.
Every time I hear it, I can’t help but feel it was written for me, and I’m positive that I’m not alone. Many of us can relate to it, and for good reason. Like millions of other fans, I’ve had my share of eye-opening heartbreak on the path to finding the love of my life.
It all started in high school with the first boy I ever loved. I met him in the seventh grade and we became a pair the next year. He was the life of any party, with all-American good
W ARM T OES = A W ARM H EART
Holidays are among the best times of the year to show you care. I’m definitely a fan of thoughtfully expressing your love on the days that aren’t related to a holiday, but at the very least, the days of celebration in your culture should be recognized with appropriate gifts. And if you give from a place of love, odds are that the recipient will lovingly accept your gift. Remember the wise words of author Eileen Elias Freeman: “It isn’t the size of the gift that matters, but the size of the heart that gives it.”
When Ryan and I were first together, we were having a casual conversation about gifts. He asked me to name the worst gift I had ever received: socks. As a lifetime wearer of plain white socks, I just never saw the appeal. People usually can’t see them, so why go to the effort? But in that moment, I realized that I had just cast my line out into a sea of cheesy foot coverings and would no doubt be reeling some in the next chance my future husband got.
It turned out that he got that opportunity during our first secret rendezvous arranged by the producers of The Bachelorette. We were holed up in a little apartment in Los Angelesand decided that since we weren’t contractually allowed to be together on December 25, we would make the most of the time we were being given to exchange gifts before Santa got on his sleigh. Lo and behold, box after bag after bag after box was filled with what I had told him were my least favorite gifts, accompanied by a few hats as well. I had never appreciated them before, but Ryan changed all that—especially after I read the silly poem he wrote to go with them:
Why Socks?
Everybody loves diamonds, rings, chains of gold
But what good are diamonds when your feet get cold.
Oh no, there can only be two things for that.
A good pair of socks and a stocking hat.
One hat should do, but when it comes to socks,
They get dirty quick . . . you may need a box.
At least a drawer full. Pair upon pair.
Keep them in a drawer, next to your underwear.
I appreciate the little things, the socks of this life.
So I’ll never forget the importance of my fiancée or wife.
Think of them not as a gift, but a guarantee
That I’ll always love you . . . warm, soft, and wool-free.
Think about how many times you’ve been given a gift that couldn’t have been further from your style. You say thank you, but not for what you just opened. You say it because your mama taught you proper manners and because you know that the old cliché about it being the thought that counts was spot on.
That Christmas I didn’t really want or need a drawer full of comical and cozy socks. Every time I unwrapped another pair, though, my laughter became more genuine and my heartmore full. He had managed to show me that it was truly the little things that could make me feel the most love. And to this day, the little things are what I cherish the most.
A B LESSED B ROKEN R OAD
When I first heard the song “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts, it was instantly one of my all-time favorites. If you’ve heard neither their version nor the original recording by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, head to iTunes and take a listen. It’s a poignant song about how all relationships, especially the ones that shatter our hearts into teeny-tiny pieces, lead us to the one we are ultimately meant to find.
Every time I hear it, I can’t help but feel it was written for me, and I’m positive that I’m not alone. Many of us can relate to it, and for good reason. Like millions of other fans, I’ve had my share of eye-opening heartbreak on the path to finding the love of my life.
It all started in high school with the first boy I ever loved. I met him in the seventh grade and we became a pair the next year. He was the life of any party, with all-American good
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