Growing up I longed for a marriage to last a lifetime, children, and a house with the white picket fence. I’ve been blessed with all but the white picket fence. In its place sits the low stone wall common to New England.

In May, we will celebrate thirty eight years together. We were young when we walked the aisle and could not have anticipated all that the years ahead would hold for us.

In her new book, The Heart of Marriage, Dawn Camp brings a beautiful collection of stories. Each story brings it own flavor to marriage with varied experiences and insights.

The collection will surely confirm that no marriage is perfect. But then perfection is not to be found in any woman or man. And that is the beauty and wonder and challenge found in each marriage.

It is through the ups and downs, the beauty and the messes, the failures and the triumphs, that we discover there is no other relationship which will offer us more opportunities to grow and change and become all that we were meant to be.

The compilation includes stories from both men and women, and a host of writers, some new and some are old favorites. But each story is unique and sure to encourage.

Marriage is hard work as you will rediscover in reading some of the stories. But more so, this book will remind you that marriage is the one commitment in which we make the promise to one another, “Till death due us part.”

The book contains encouragement for everyone as no story is quite the same. Each marriage is as unique as the individuals which comprise the relationship. Dawn Camp brings the challenge:

Do you believe your marriage can fulfill you the way God intended? Do you believe your love story is being written in both the magic and the mundane moments of your life? That love stories exist beyond the silver screen?

Marriage gets a bad rap in our society, but it provides a framework of love and security where couples can grow and families can thrive, the way God intended.

(from page 22)

This is a book to be picked up on the good days to warm your heart and make you appreciate your spouse. It is a book to be picked up on the hard days so you hold on and stay committed. And it is a book for every day in between as they all comprise the unique story of our lives and leave a legacy for our children to remember.

*** I received a copy of this book from Revell for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Today I am joining … #DreamTogether and Moments of Hope and Soul Survival .