When this video was taken Eric and I had only been married six months. We were both still college students but Eric had a great but dirty job that paid good money and so we felt rich. Now as I look back at that tiny apartment, our furniture most of which was free, that TV we bought for $50 I would not consider us rich then.
But really weren't we?
We had the things we needed, we had money to go on an occasional date and order a pizza. We had money to pay for both of our college tuitions-with the help of scholarships and we were truly happy. As we "moved up" in the world we soon learned the more money you make the easier it is to spend more money. Eric now makes a lot more money and we have more nicer things- but do these things make us happy? Or is there something nicer we are always wishing/wanting for as you can always spend more money. Or is it the fact that we work hard, we live within our means (even though these means have now increased), we save, we invest for our and our children's future and we still go on occasional dates and order pizza.
Happiness in this life can be found at any stage, in any circumstances. How is it found- by working hard; by working hard for and with our families. Working hard at our jobs, working hard at play, working hard and being there for each other; by focusing on what matters most.
I watch that video and it seems like a different life, I truly have almost forgotten most of it. And so it makes me pause and realize that I may someday watch an old video, a much better quality video, of my life now and think- that was a different life, I hardly remember it. But I hope and pray that when I look back at that video I will remember that I was happy- because I took the time for what mattered most.
Linking up with IA and Shawn
I'll have to watch the video later. But I totally get what you mean. When I think back to when Jdaddy and I first got married, we were making about 1/3 of what we make now...and life was good then. Life is still good, but it's amazing that what we "think" we need to be happy, we really don't need.
ReplyDeleteI've watched my sister and her hubs fall into the make more, spend more mentality and they have enormous incomes and are living month to month because their must have more spending patterns spiraled them into enormous debt. It's not worth it. I think from watching how she spent money over the years, it really helped me gain perspective on things and caused me to do the opposite of what she's been doing.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're in the boat where things are fun but they don't define your happiness.
Happiness definitely can be found at any stage - I love this post! :)
ReplyDeleteScramble Brainy Friends, Dandelion Volcano, Obsessive Song Search… The Usual Mishmash
I love this post and your perspective!
ReplyDeleteLove the video!! It's so funny sometimes to look back and see how different our lives were before "real jobs" and kids. I have similar videos and pics from our first townhouse, when we still lived in Norman (where The University of Oklahoma is) and they're hilarious! I think I laugh most at my decorating style...so 1998!! LOL.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great video. Isn't it funny what we think "BIG" is? That living room may have been big to you at the time but I bet you think it looks small now. Same for the bedroom. Do you still have the same bed? We have just a regular king and we've had it since 2001. That's why I was asking. I don't think I'll trade it in anytime soon. I still love our bed.
ReplyDeleteI was just as happy in 2001--and even more now. Money is money. It really doesn't buy happiness in my opinion. It just makes living more comfortable. I'm just blessed to be able to stay at home. M works very hard for what we have. GREAT POST!
Thanks for linking up!! =)
We lived in the same place when we were first married and thought it was big too! Those poor days were such happy days. I agree. Happiness isn't found in money.
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ReplyDeleteI swear this looks just like our first apartment. I agree...thinking back it does feel like a different life. Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful post and reminder! Thank you for this. I needed this today.
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ReplyDeleteWhen I look back at college when my husband and I first started dating it was amazing how we lived off just $200 a month and yep all our stuff in our apartments were hand me downs from our families. It was a much simpler time!
ReplyDeleteI remember how tight things were when I started teaching. Simple things made me happy.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how easy it is to be happy and content when you count your blessings? You are so cute!
ReplyDeleteWhen we downsized from our large house to small apartment.....I realized we were happier in the smaller space. I don't think we'll ever live that large again.
ReplyDeleteThis is so true! I will always love our first apartment with the 70's wallpaper and the balding carpet. It was all about the love back then, and the excitement of being on our own for the first time. No matter how much money you amass, you can't recreate that feeling again. I think every couple should start out small. It makes you appreciate everything else a lot more later, plus it gives you some amazing memories to look back on.
ReplyDeleteYou've got it right--remember the happiness and the true source of it.
ReplyDeleteSuch a good thing to get perspective about how God provides for our needs and blesses us with our wants!
ReplyDeleteYes, the gold ol' days when one gets married and is a newlywed... This video brought me to our memory lane and yes life was very simple and we loved it. Now we do make a little more since I am a stay at home mom, but little pleasures are the best! like finding a home appliance on clearance ;)
ReplyDeleteI have to remind myself so many times that being rich does not equal having money.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post, Emmy! I'm working on gettting back into the ol' blog, sorry for missing out on yours.
Hahah! Super cute! I remember how cool...it's funny about the DVD player...I remember when my family got our first one...we were like soooo amazing and felt all futuristic! Lol! Home videos are the BEST!!
ReplyDeleteP.S. How did you get your old videos digital?
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