Because You Loved Me

Today marked a first for Adam and me during our nearly three week old marriage.  I had to go to work and was away from Adam for the longest period of time since our wedding.  We have continued our streak of seeing each other every day, in person or on Skype, since November 7, 2013 even to this day except for three days we missed.  It was a good thing that work was so busy today for the seven hours that I was working flew by and I could hardly believe it was so close to dinner by the time I returned home.  

I know that someday (probably in the not so far off future) I will laugh at the thought of my missing Adam so much over so few hours apart but hey, being newlyweds, I'm relishing this cherishing of every moment business.  :)  So, what was happening at work today?  University Days, otherwise known as a sort of crash course in advising and orientation for the new students/transfers, are in full swing at work.  I was nervous about my first time participating in today's activities and especially more so about the advising since I had never done this before and last fall when I sat in on advising appointments with my colleagues as they mentored our students felt like a long ways off...which resulted in my tossing and turning and not getting much sleep last night over nerves.  I know I will sleep well tonight and should probably think about getting to bed but have a couple loads to do in our brand spanking new energy efficient washer/dryer combo.  Adam and I were so excited when they were dropped off by the deliverymen tonight after a two hour delay no less that we stood there and watched our laundry spin in the see through window lid of the washer.  LOL!  My favorite feature is the fact that there is no agitator in the middle of the washer but it is so deep I may need to invest in a step stool to reach the socks and underwear that stick to the bottom when done being washed!  Anyways, we have an early morning ahead of us as we're heading to PA for the day to go to our nephew's third birthday party before returning home.  Just two more loads to go until I can hit the sack!

Advising today was very interesting and I enjoyed meeting the parents and students.  I learned a lot and hope I can remember it all next Friday when we get to do it again!  As with any learning experience, I made quite a few mistakes.  I forgot my laptop in my office then was unable to log on wirelessly through a simple mistake on my part.  Next, once I was online, I couldn't remember my user ID and password meaning I had to call home and see if Adam could look up that information in my school bag.  Fortunately, he was able to relay that information to me over the phone and I was able to view the courses online as I attempted to advise the incoming students.  My department secretary, boss, and other colleagues were SO helpful and understanding as I learned the ropes.  This was also my first return to campus since our end of the semester faculty meeting just before the wedding.  I saw one of my former students who congratulated me and asked my new name as did so many other sweet faculty members.  I'm so blessed to work with such awesome people ~ students, staff, and faculty alike!  Everyone should be so fortunate!!

I'm listening to Delilah online as I wait on the laundry and reflect on today.  She just played Celine Dion's song, "Because You Loved Me", which just happened to be the song that Adam and I danced to with our parents and then had our parents finish out the song dancing with each other.  My Dad and I began by dancing to the first verse and chorus but then got caught up in the moment and danced into the second verse when Adam and his Mom were to have their turn.  Hopefully she didn't mind and everyone had enough time to dance with one another throughout the remainder of the song.  Listening back to this song now as I think about school and think about all who worked University Days today....love really does make the world go round.  All the parents/caregivers who accompanied their children as they prepared them for the fall semester were inspiring to see.  Some of the families I counseled today came from as far away as Arizona, a couple were from Maryland, two were on campus from Massachusetts, and even Connecticut was represented.  It was also a learning experience for me to watch my much admired colleagues explain the ins and outs of our department.  I tried to soak up everything I was learning like a sponge.  At one point, I remember talking with a mother and her daughter about the importance of the daughter following her heart and figuring out what her passion is as Tiffany, my colleague, spoke about teaching being our vocation.  At one point, to one of the students, I said something like, "Pray on it.  You don't have to make any decisions right now.  Think over your options"....I'm so thankful I work somewhere where our faith can be expressed so candidly and openly; it is such a blessing!!  Through the love we have of our profession and our desire to reach all our students, both children and adult learners, I hope my colleagues and I can help to produce the next generation of teachers through our line of work in higher education.  Yes, because someone loved me, directly or indirectly, I hope to play it forward and for the cycle to continue.  Much like the many students I saw today, Adam and I are where we are because of our parents and because they loved us which is why we chose Celine Dion's Because You Loved Me as our first dance with our parents at the reception.
  
"Because You Loved Me"
Dad and I danced to the following part of the song.  I told him that the song left out one important part....that he was my ears when I couldn't hear because he (and Mom) were so crucial to my listening and language development as a child when they worked with the doctors to diagnose and treat my hearing loss.

For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful baby
You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through through it all

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith cuz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

Adam and his mom were to dance to the next part but Dad and I accidentally danced into part of this verse...oops!  This part of the song is so touching and reminds me so much of Adam's and his mother's relationship especially with how devout and strong in her faith she is even when Adam had fallen away from our faith.  Plus, I love the imagery of Mom Sue standing next to her tall son and how all he needs is his mom's (and dad's) steadfast love as nothing can quite replace the extraordinary love between a mother (and father) and love for the child.

You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love I had it all
I'm grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don't know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith cuz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

The remainder of the song was devoted to both sets of parents.  The neat thing was this was decided before we even knew that of all the couples at our reception, our two sets of parents have been married the longest (well of the ones who danced during the anniversary dance) with my parents celebrating their 39th anniversary on June 26th and Mom Sue and Dad Tom celebrating 43 years June 10th.  Wow!!!!  What a testimony to lasting love and commitment to one another and how lucky Adam and I (as well as our siblings and others) are to have such strong role models in our lives.
You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You've been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith cuz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

I'm everything I am
Because you loved me