"Let her fly"

Marriage can be a beautiful partnership when spouses admire and respect one another for their individual differences and strengths.  I am in a “traditional” marriage and a stay-at-home mom.   My husband has been able to support our family, but through the years, I have had odd jobs to make a little extra money.  For the most part I have been home while my children are growing up.  It has been such a blessing!

Years ago, I remember a controversy going on among women in our church about not being able to hold the Priesthood.  They started an “Ordain Women” movement that gathered some followers but didn’t really go anywhere.  During that time, I really had to do some soul searching and find out what I believed and knew to be right. 

First, I believe in living prophets and that President Thomas S. Monson holds all the keys of the priesthood on the earth.  I believe that he speaks with God and receives revelation from Him on what we need to do as members of His church.  Through my prayers and study, I also came to believe that motherhood is equally as important (or even more so) than the priesthood.  As women, we have been given a beautiful charge to bring children into this world and to love, nurture, and teach them.  I believe there is no greater calling than to raise a righteous family. 

I could not fulfill my role as a mother if I didn’t have the support of a kind husband.  I have always been able to tell my husband what my dreams are and he would do his best to help or even just step back and let me do my thing!

I read a sweet story about President and Sister Hinckley.  They were being interviewed by a magazine.  Sister Hinckley had been quoted saying that her husband, “always let me do my own thing.  He never insisted that I do anything his way or any way, for that matter.  From the very beginning he gave me space and let me fly.”  When I heard that I thought it was the most beautiful statement. 

President Hinckley was then asked how he avoided compelling his wife to fit his standard of what he thought was ideal.  He replied, “I’ve tried to recognize my wife’s individuality, her personality, her desires, her background, her ambitions.  Let her fly.  Yes, let her fly!  Let her develop her own talents.  Let her do things her way.  Get out of her way, and marvel at what she does.”

I love that in a marriage we can help each other grow spiritually, develop talents, learn to love deeply and become the person that God intends us to be.