Autumn has always been my favorite time of year. It brings reflection as the season cools, trees change, and foliage falls. It reminds me of something I frequently hear as I counsel couples through their marriage/relationship problems. I often hear: “She has changed”, or “He is different than when we got married”. Sometimes the changes that are spoken of do merit some concern and needed intervention. However, often I am surprised that people expect their partners to be exactly the same for their entire lives despite growth as a couple, progression in careers, learning as parents, and managing the complex stresses of life. Of course your partner has changed. Aren’t we all always in a constant state of change? I see change as a good thing so long as we can accept it. I hope we can embrace natural change and try to facilitate improved change in our lives and relationships. Wouldn’t it be great if we all changed for the better every day? Just like the beautiful fall colors that sweep the mountains this time of year, our relationships can be as a vibrant beautiful vista – full of color – even if it is while enduring the cool of winter. Spring will come.

In life, we do experience many seasons. If we can learn to appreciate the beauties of each other as we try to weather those seasons, beauty can be found in each other if we don’t expect summer to last year round. Perhaps winter will be my favorite this year.