{jon & nikki}

History is full of famous couples.  You can't hear one name without automatically finishing it with the other.

Adam & Eve
Romeo & Juliet
Cleopatra & Marc Antony
Elizabeth Bennett & Mr. Darcy
Lucy & Desi

I once found myself introducing a new friend to a longtime friend.  My new friend had already made the acquaintance of my longtime friend's husband, so in order for her to make the connection, I said, "This is Julia, Patrick's wife."

Much to my surprise, my longtime friend burst out, "I hate it when I'm introduced that way!"

I was dumbfounded.

For days, I pondered her words and tried to understand the heart behind them.

I suppose that, if you buy into the lie the world is marketing---the lie, steeped in fear, that warns wives to stand up for their rights and independence or else they'll be walked over and trampled---one could find cause to disdain her title.  After all, if a wife doesn't feel infinitely valued, equal, and cherished, there may be reason to recoil at the description of so and so's wife.

But, friends, as we go back to the beginning, we see this loving, sovereign God institute marriage.  Genesis 2:24 reads,

"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."  

Marriage brings with it new identity, friends.
We're one.
We leave the old life and enter a covenant bond.
We give ourselves to one another for life.
Permanently sealed.

Now, some may do this kicking and screaming, fighting for their rights, insisting on their independence.  Sure, it can be done this way, but it leads only to loneliness and unfulfillment.

Or we can gladly embrace and celebrate God's excellent design.
It's not some man-made contrivance.
It's perfectly made by God.
And He says
we're completely equal in every way (Philippians 2);
one is not more important than the other;
we simply have different roles to be an echo to this world of His love for His Church (Ephesians 5).

One flesh.
Together.
Complete.

So I don't know about you, but I delight in this gift of marriage---in being introduced as Jon's wife.  While we each have different roles, talents, and gifts, I hope that my name is synonymous with his; that people, when thinking of us, can't help but put us together.

Jon & Nikki
Better together.

And I pray that together, our marriage radiantly reflects Him.