the kap blog

Marriage.  An eight letter word that changed my life. I will be the first to say that marriage is not only beautiful but it is challenging. It isn’t something that you do then life is a fairy tale like Disney would like us to believe. Marriage takes work. Marriage takes communication. And, marriage takes sacrifices. However, marriage also makes you stronger. It teaches you lessons. And, in my case, it makes you softer, gentler, and more understanding.

Four Lessons Marriage Taught Me

1. Communication is Key! I am positive you’ve heard this a thousand times on repeat. Lemme give it to you straight. HEALTHY Communication is key. That means listening with intention and actively participating. However, it is okay to disagree with each other as long as it is communicated with respect, understanding, and love.

2. Just because you’re married doesn’t mean you lose your individuality. It is okay to have individual likes, dislikes, hobbies, friends, and passions. As I assume you know, I am passionate about photography, traveling, and coffee culture. Paul on the other hand is passionate about computers, software programming, and sports. While we both respect each other’s passions we both understand that we both do not understand the others world in those areas. However, we both come together and have mutual passions such as we are HUGE foodies, love attending Hockey games, and enjoy a good craft cocktail or craft beer.

3.  Sacrifices does not mean you’re being submissive. Listen. I do not like being told I cannot or should not do something. I also dislike being told “maybe” or “let’s wait”. In marriage, you’re going to have to sacrifices and IT IS OKAY! Both myself and Paul have had to make sacrifices whether they were personal goals or physical objects (cough new gear cough) because the timing was not right for our family. And, that is okay. Relationships are a give and take.

4. There is no better best friend than your partner. Plain and simple.

Remember, no two relationships are alike. What may work in my marriage may not work in others and vice versa. Relationships take work. Relationships like plants must be watered. They must have healthy soil and adequate sunlight to form roots. What is a lesson your marriage or relationship has taught you?

Special thank you to April from Local Nomad Photo for these beautiful photographs!

Kyrsten Ashlay Photography is a Dallas Wedding Photographer specializing in romantic and carefree imagery for wildly in love couples. If you’re looking for a wedding photographer to capture your special day in Dallas or  the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, I’d love to hear from you! Or have you seen enough and want to book this Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex Wedding Photographer for your upcoming wedding or event?! Send me a note and let me treat you to coffee (or wine) – can’t wait to connect!