Living a Dream

A dream come true. That defines our trip to Washington D.C...on numerous levels.

For our boys, they'd long dreamed of flying in a commercial jet. This, I suppose, is true for many. Our oldest son dreams of being a pilot, so his desire was probably somewhat compounded.

When George W. Bush was elected President, and specifically after 9/11, I told my husband that I dreamed of visiting Washington D.C. while President Bush was still in office. Part of it was a renewed sense of patriotism. Another reason was that we were relatively new homeschoolers, and history was for the first time interesting and compelling to me. I longed to walk the streets of history with our boys. I longed for them to walk the paths of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln...to learn firsthand of their faith and integrity. Back in 2001, my desire seemed like an impossible dream. Fun to think about, but not grounded in reality.

Many of you know that my husband ran his first marathon a year and a half ago, followed by his second one this past spring. Last winter, he began dreaming of running a really big marathon. A national-scale marathon. He casually asked me what I'd think of him running in the highly acclaimed "Marine Corps Marathon."

As we began talking and praying about the possibilities, excitement built. This wasn't simply one of those happy dreams that's nice to think about...this could really happen! God continued to open the doors for us to make this dream vacation, and we eagerly planned and anticipated. And if the impending trip weren't already special enough, God blessed us yet again by my parents agreeing to join us. Since my husband and dad had run the previous 2 marathons together, it seemed only natural that my parents embrace this latest adventure, too! Not to mention, they'd never been to Washington D.C. either, and this was their longtime dream, too.

So yes, a lot of dreams came true over the past 2 weeks. Our boys flew, and I was able to see that look of wonder and awe in their faces as we sped down the runway...and yet again as the plane lifted off the ground skyward. How I love experiencing things "for the first time" all over again through our boys.

My dream came true, as well. As we stood outside the big iron fence of the White House last Friday, the words I'd spoken to my husband 6 years ago rang in my ears. I was moved and overwhelmed by God's goodness and provision. I was mindful, too, of my husband's gentle and frequent reminders that he wants to make all my dreams come true. My heart was so full...


Overlooking the masses at the Marine Corps Marathon start line on Sunday, October 28, I got a lump in my throat. Somewhere down there, my husband and dad were living one of their dreams, as well. Though I couldn't see them, I knew their hearts...and ours...were filled with pride and satisfaction and thanksgiving. And as they lived another of their dreams, I lived another of mine.


My husband (center of photo ~ white hat, orange shirt) running by at mile 11.
Champions!