Written by Candace on September 17, 2014 | 15 Comments

Big Announcement!

We closed our eyes, counted to three, and opened to find a big plus-sign on the test.

I’m the doubter in our relationship so it took me some convincing that the sign was in fact 100% positive. Then we screamed so loud while simultaneously jumping up and down that I regretted having the windows open that morning. We fell back into bed and just stared at each other with the biggest grins on our faces. We were going to be parents. Our unity as husband and wife had produced something fully him and fully me. What a beautiful thing God has created!

Baby Prokopets is set to arrive on February 14, 2015, our little Valentine. He or she will be surely loved!

With this being our first child, there are so many unknowns. But there is one thing we are certain of, that we will be loved and supported by our friends and family every step of the way. It has been an incredible experience to receive such love from so many already. Yesterday, we emailed our clients, both past and present, wanting them to hear the news first hand. And the response was overwhelming. We are so thankful for our family, our friends, and our clients – we know we’re not alone in this and that is a very reassuring thought.

One of our very sweet clients Jamie sent me a piece of advice upon hearing our news that echos my philosophy on marriage and parenting, “To raise healthy kids, simply put your marriage first and your children second. For many of today’s couples, the children are priority No. 1 and marriage is priority No. 10 – and few of us make it past the top three priorities on our daily to-do list.” I’m sure this baby will both challenge and strengthen our marriage in many ways and I hope to share about it with you in the process.

The sex of baby P will remain unknown, even to us, until we deliver. So, we look forward to sharing our little surprise in the new year. Thanks again for all of your love and support!

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Written by Candace on August 5, 2014 | 7 Comments

8 Years of Love And Laughter

This past week I watched my husband scrub clean his 91 year old grandma’s apartment bathroom. I’m talking every single inch.

But that is a picture of my husband. He serves those he loves, selflessly and sacrificially, with a smile on his face. He never complains or makes you feel like a burden. He simply loves.

There are days when I honestly cannot believe he’s mine. Today is one such day.

8 years ago today, we promised our lives to one another. And I still feel this huge amount of thankfulness for this gift I’ve been given. In just a few hours, we’ll be toasting to many, many more years of love and laughter!

Thank you so much for your love and support over the years. Writing about marriage here on this little website has been such a source of encouragement and accountability for my own marriage. I look forward to continuing on this journey of making marriage happen with you.

Previous anniversaries: 7 Years; 6 Years

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Written by Candace on July 15, 2014 | Chime in

Be Playful
Make Marriage Happen

Let’s just be honest folks, life is hard. Sometimes, really, really hard.

Yesterday I sat at my favorite coffee shop while a man proceeded to throw up his arms and drop the f-bomb because the two young baristas couldn’t get his toast just right. The guy left and I went up to the counter to make sure the two people who were trying to serve him weren’t going to have their day ruined because of his bad attitude. I don’t care how they toasted that bread, there was no way they were ever going to please him. I retold this story a few times yesterday always calling the guy the “scary man”. But this morning as I think about him, I feel bad for him. I cannot imagine what he has gone through or is currently going through that has left him in such a state of unhappiness. Life has the ability to do that to us, if we let it.

But I say, let’s not let it! Playfulness has been a key part of our relationship very early on. And it helped us get through some very trying times. I remember back in Ukraine in 2005 after the accident, Vitaliy and I would often watch this video when we needed a good laugh. It’s so silly, but it always took the edge off when we needed a break. Laughter does wonders in life, and in marriage.

I imagine that some of you reading this could be going through some difficulties in life that could be affecting your marriage. Or perhaps, it’s your marriage that is the difficulty in your life. Either way, I recommend finding some ways to incorporate some playfulness into the mix. Just be stupid silly together. Find a way to laugh so hard your stomach hurts. And I hope it reminds you of other times you laughed together and enjoyed each other. Because that is the person you fell in love with and married. You just might need to look at them in a new light.

It won’t fix all of your problems or make everything better. But it will give you the break you need to keep persevering. Be playful! And let’s Make Marriage Happen!

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