3 Lessons and 2 Tips is a series of interviews in which some of my favorite people (and probably some of yours) share three lessons they’ve learned by being married, plus two tips for single people.
This edition features Leah Darrow, a wife, mom, author, speaker, fashionista and broadway musical enthusiast I first met when she and her husband Ricky and I took a class together last summer at the Theology of the Body Institute.
Leah enjoys engaging culture from a Catholic perspective and challenges people to reclaim love and beauty from a society that has distorted both. She hopes to one day swim with orcas or catch the first sighting of bigfoot, whichever comes first.
AS: How did you meet your husband?
LD: We were introduced by friends. When we met in 2008, Ricky had just returned from his first deployment to Iraq (he’s a US Army Special Forces Green Beret) and was prepping for his second deployment, so, a “relationship” was a bit out of the question. We started and maintained a friendship, and for the next four years really got to know each other. In 2011, we just happened to be in the same place, at the same time — and that’s when Ricky knew I was the love of his life and he couldn’t live without me…that’s at least my version of the story.
AS: When did you get married?
LD: We were married June 29, 2012 and welcomed our daughter, Agnes, on August 4, 2014.
AS: What’s a first lesson you learned in marriage?
LD: Pray every day for your spouse (you know they need it, they married you).
AS: And a second lesson?
LD: Ask for forgiveness quickly and forgive quickly.
AS: And a third lesson?
LD: Laugh, especially when it’s awkward. Laughter helps keep us humble and open.
AS: What’s one tip you’ve got for single readers?
LD: Live it up! Single life is not a waiting room, it’s a path, an adventure that will help you grow in happiness and holiness.
AS: And a second tip for singles?
LD: Be happy. If you’re not happy as a single person, you’ll be a miserable married person.
[callout]Read more of Leah’s thoughts at leahdarrow.com or whatever she can jumble into 140 characters or less on Twitter @leahdarrow. [/callout]