Karmen Smith

  • About
  • Journal
  • Speaking
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Subscribe to my blog posts

Privacy Policy

ABSOLUTELY worth it ALL

by Karmen |

I was reminded today…

a while back
Cowboy Dan and I
had a young man
ask to meet with us

“sure” we said
“about what?”

his reply
“relationship questions”

not sure who was more surprised
by the young man’s request

Cowboy Dan
or me?

many things
we may be
but relationship experts

“not it.”

the young man asked
“how do y’all make it work??? y’all are so………different.”

we both chuckled
and replied almost simultaneously
“yes. we. are.”

and yet for 2 decades
we have been crazy.
 mad in love
with each other

PLEASE NOTE:
** I pledge and promise to do my best
 not to get too cheesy, mushy, gushy with this post
with NO guarantee

At first sight:
I saw him for the first time from the window at church…
Strolling across the parking lot
wearing slim fit Wranglers
 a belt buckle
 rocking a mullet
(searching for a picture…will post soon :OP)

When?
July 1992

How I fell?
We went on a youth retreat.  My cousin was our youth leader.  I persuaded her to let me strategically arrange “who was riding in what car”.
He rode in our car.
After two nights and three days of putt putt in the Smokies..
I was hooked.
Hook.
 Line.
and sinker.

Why?
He was different.
Simple.
Then and now.

My mother would say over and over
“There are plenty of fish in the sea….”

My reply
each and every time
“I’m not interested in the other fish Mother”

we dated four years..
Two years before we ever said a cross word to each other
July of 1996 he whispered “will you marry me?”

I shouted “YES!”

we were married
four months later
on October 5, 1996

How we make it work?

We pray together
We protect what we have
We have boundaries where others are not allowed
We work at “us”
We still date each other
We talk
and listen
We go places together
and separate-I LOVE the beach. He LOVES the mountains.
We play with our boys
We laugh .. A LOT
We cry sometimes
We help each other with our chores.
He helps me can and garden..I help him feed our barnyard plenty
We’re partners in the hayfield
We are honest
and REAL
about everything.

Is it always easy?
No.

Do we always like each other?
No.

Is it worth it?
YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT
Absolutely
worth it all

living still..

“happily ever after”

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • Email
  • Print
  • Reddit
  • Pocket
  • Tumblr

Filed Under: Inspire, Life ~in our neck of the woods

Comments

  1. Tammy says

    September 7, 2012 at 12:54 am

    yep…I see a book in your future! Loved this excerpt on you and cowboy Dan…been wondering why you call him “Dan”? LOL

    • Karmen says

      September 7, 2012 at 1:07 am

      In the early chapters of our love story I had had several cowboy-like names that I called him…Cowboy Dan is one that stuck.

  2. 4littlefergusons says

    September 7, 2012 at 1:01 am

    What a beautiful couple you are! Seriously striking! Working on our happily ever after love story too, scripted by the Author of love Himself. Praise be to a God who makes Beauty from Ashes….
    ~T

    • Karmen says

      September 7, 2012 at 1:08 am

      Amen sister..thank you for stopping by and very best wishes to you and your Love..and yes! to God be the glory!

  3. Sommerfugl Design says

    September 7, 2012 at 8:26 am

    Such a wonderful story of how you met! And such a great great list of important things to any relationship 🙂

    • Karmen says

      September 7, 2012 at 5:13 pm

      Thank you for reading and for taking the time to comment;) Have a blessed day.

  4. Tina @ Living Life Wright says

    September 7, 2012 at 4:57 pm

    New follower from blog hop. Following you on Twitter and Google Friends. Come follow back on Twitter: @TinaJoyceWright. My blog is: Living Life Wright (http://livinglifewright.com).

  5. Karmen says

    September 8, 2012 at 1:17 pm

    Thanks Tina! Got ya on Twitter too;) Have a blessed day!

Order Karmen's 6-Week Prayer Journal "When You Pray, Big Things Happen"

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

Recent Posts

  • sweet & salty: an adoption story
  • Whew! What a YEAR!
  • Court & Why I Won’t Stop Crying

Instagram

she got blistered and I thought it was over after she got blistered and
 I thought it was over after I left her too long 
in full sun

but I kept showin’ up to pinch dead leaves, water, and talk to her 

(yes,  I talk to my plants 🙄my momma always has-so I do)

This week we are bringing home a blue ribbon from the county fair and “Victoria” will go right back on the carport to serve her daily reminders: 

❤️God is the Master Gardener 
❤️ Don’t give up when things don’t look like they once did
❤️Keep showin’ up to do the work 
❤️Our heavenly rewards will be worth it! 

#keepshowinup #persevere #dontgiveup #Godisfaithful
when it’s still summer but your favorite pools a when it’s still summer but your favorite pools are closed ☀️
He’s back doing what he loves, shoeing +trimmi He’s back doing what he loves, 

shoeing +trimming horses for YOU

call or text Jason today 256-996-9188 
#farrier ##farrierlife
We’re excited to announce that our new podcast We’re excited to announce that our new podcast

“Keep Showin’ Up”, will launch in 10 days! 

Stay tuned!!

#keepshowinup
#newpodcast #realstories
#realfaith
💙💙💙💙💙 💙💙💙💙💙
Choose joy it’s sound simple enough but up unti Choose joy

it’s sound simple enough but up until the last few days it’s been a real struggle for me

our current season of parenting has had me in a hard place & I’ve allowed the enemy to cause me to tap out of a lot of things but mostly joy

but a few days ago I decided to start believing the things I say and believe for others 

with Jesus we win

He’s it-
 & in Him IT IS FINISHED 

all of it

because 
Jesus.

He overcame & one day we will too!

 in Him we can BE+SAY & do BOLD THINGS because of who He is ❤️ 

have a joyFUL day, friends
ATTENTION DREAMERS: are you ready? have you bee ATTENTION DREAMERS:

are you ready? 

have you been looking for a safe place to whisper your dreams out loud? 

we are keeping it small

so make plans to JOIN ME & some of my bravest friends for the first ever BOLD MOVES retreat ❤️

it’s time ✅

message me for more details
J and Mr John D Israel simple pure delightful m J and Mr John D Israel

simple 
pure 
delightful memories
some swim with dolphins -others swim with horses some swim with dolphins 
-others swim with horses 

-
-
#longlivecowboy 
#farmlife #boymom #horsesofinstagram 
#farmandranch #westernhorseman
Load More Follow on Instagram

Categories

Archives

  • About
  • Journal
  • Speaking
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

© 2023 Karmen Smith | Design by The Design Diva | Development by MRM | Privacy
Photos Courtesy of Rachel Clarke Photography