The In-Between

Every relationship has its ups and downs, and Charlie and Elina’s relationship was no exception. The two had to learn to balance their relationship with that of work and friends and everyday life. Living in the same home from the beginning made this experience more unique. Boundaries became especially important and communication, as always, was key.

But with this unique situation also came sweet memories. One of Elina’s favorites is when Charlie, with the help of Autumn, planted flowers in the front yard flower beds. This undertaking was especially sweet as Elina had previously talked about sprucing up the disheveled yard. Arriving home and catching sight of this gesture melted Elina’s heart and is forever seared into her memory.

One of Charlie’s favorite memories is when Elina dressed up and decorated the house classy-like and prepared Charlie’s favorite meal: eggplant parmesan. The night was a planned surprise and Charlie found it extra special as Elina has never been a huge fan of cooking.

Over time, the couple learned which activities they enjoyed together. A favorite pastime was and still is a good movie or TV show and scrumptious food. They began trying new restaurants together and even sometimes went out just to get ice water. Going out for ice water remains a shared pleasure. They went on drives and walks that lead to serious discussions…but fun ones too! They started inviting each other to family events and outings with friends. They planned day trips, like the time they went on a hike to Palouse Falls or the time they trekked up to the windmills in Walla Walla. They also spent some time in Seattle and on a cruise through Alaska with some dear friends. The couple moved twice together in the first two years, a fruitful adventure. Their faith has always been important to the two as well, and they began attending church and praying together. In this current year, Charlie and Elina are successfully working on completing the “read your bible in a year” challenge. For them, the special moments were numerous and they now feel nothing short of blessed.

However, alongside the sweet moments, the two shared some tough ones too. Charlie and Elina experienced arguments and faced disappointment. They talked through their traumas and uncomfortable pasts. They pushed each other’s boundaries and had to learn reconciliation. They had moments of questioning the relationship and of questioning themselves. These tough moments created space for growth. They each learned to choose each other through the best and the worst. And though being together wasn’t always easy, they kind of liked that. They knew their relationship was stronger than feelings. They began to talk about marriage and if that was something to consider.

It was only a matter of time.