You’re the Inspiration

There’s a cheesy ‘80s song by Chicago called “You’re the Inspiration.” It was the wedding dance of thousands of couples in the 80s. Now that the song is in your head, what are the words you remember? Probably…

“You’re the meaning in my life. You’re in the inspiration…”

Inspiration in Big Things

Jen: Nick isn’t the only meaning in my life, but he certainly has had an impact and has been an inspiration for me.

Nick and I started dating in college. We entered college at the same time, but while Nick followed a traditional 4-year trajectory, I had weaved my way through starts and stops. I was nowhere near finishing my bachelor’s degree when Nick and I started dating at the start of our fourth year of college. Our relationship became serious very quickly and we were engaged by Spring of that school year. That was when Nick planted the seeds of inspiration that made me want to get to the college finish line. It was important to me to have my college degree, and Nick’s encouragement and belief in me gave me the inspiration I needed to get it done.

Nick: Early on in our marriage, Jen’s belief in me was a huge inspiration for me. There were so many ways I saw myself as an imposter – in my job, as a husband, and as a young father. Through it all, Jen was my biggest supporter. She would tell me crazy things like “you know you’re brilliant, right?” just in the right moments where I was convinced I couldn’t do anything right.

Her inspiration and encouragement have been there for me in all the pivotal moments since then. This includes my most recent career move from being a senior leader at a huge company to more of a hands-on techie role at a smaller company. It was a leap of faith for both of us for me to make that change, and Jen’s inspiration was the difference between making that leap or not.

Inspiration in Littler Things

Jen: After 30 years of marriage and 5 kids, you would think we had run out of things to be inspired by in our relationship. And yet, recently, we took a family vacation to a nearby mountain lake area and the kids all wanted to go try out a ropes course nearby. I figured it was a kid activity and I would just be along for the ride but when we got there, Nick asked me if I was going on the course. I have a debilitating fear of heights, but when Nick asked, I couldn’t say no. So I climbed, clung to ropes, tiptoed across bridges and zip-lined. I achieved all these things with Nick as my inspiration. It was a blast!

Nick: Recently, Jen has been talking with me about decisions to make small changes to help our spiritual and physical health. She has inspired me to get up a little early to catch a morning Mass here and there with her. She’s also bought a couple of books on healthier eating that we’re digging into in order to get into better shape. She has her matter-of-fact way of smiling and getting me to give most anything a try. I am grateful for the little bits of inspiration she brings me in our day-to-day lives.

“When You Love Somebody to the End of Time…”

Having my spouse be my inspiration is an opportunity for me to grow. Inspiration means that I see what my spouse sees in me, and that can be powerful and uplifting. What is a way that your spouse has inspired you? Have you shared that with them lately?