Meet Jason and Jameka Hartley:
Tell us your love story! (Include a picture of you two THEN and NOW)
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| February 2010 (left); November 2013 (right) |
Jason and I met at work. As a social worker I never thought I'd meet my husband at work but there he was. When we first met we were both dating other people but I thought he was cute. As things would go we broke up from the people we were dating and started talking on the phone after work. We went on our first date in December 2009. It was the best first date I've ever been on. I called my mother afterwards and told her how nice of a time we had. Six months later we were engaged and five months after that we married in November 2010. We no longer work at the same place but I'm grateful that the Lord sent us to work at the same place so we could meet. He was the best benefit I've ever had on a job.
For many couples Valentines Day is the only time they feel loved by their significant other and/or spouse. How do you show your love to each other throughout the year?
We established Friday nights as date nights. We felt that it was important to establish the habit of prioritizing time together before we have children. We recognized that once God blesses us with children that weekly date nights might not be possible but the habit will be there even if we have to sprinkle in our date nights more infrequently. We also say "I love you" liberally and we also greet each other and part ways with a kiss.
We all enter marriage with our own quirks. What’s one thing your spouse does that drives you crazy but you couldn’t imagine life without him doing it?
My husband is a free spirit. I'm much more organized. When he leaves things undone it can be a bit unnerving but I'm grateful for it because it shows his presence in our lives. When he was gone for 5 months in the beginning of our marriage for military training I missed his shoes being thrown about or the cap being left off the toothpaste, even the toilet seat being up. :-)
Being a wife is more than just a title but it’s a ministry. When the enemy tries to attack your marriage what is your go to scripture?
Ephesians 5:21 AMP. In the first year of our marriage I committed this scripture to memory. Whenever things get tough and frustrations are high I reflect on that scripture and recommit that adapting myself for my husband is a service unto God.
Years pass, people grow older, bodies change, babies come but what is one thing about your spouse that still takes your breath away?
His smile. It was one of the first things that I noticed about him the day we met. I also love his sense of humor.
Many couples have marriage as their ultimate goal. What’s one piece of advice you’d give engaged couples?
I often feel that couples feel that weddings are the goal instead of the marriage. Marriage is a lifetime. Focus on building the lifetime and not just the day. Furthermore be humble. One of the things the pastor who married us shared before our vows was humility. If both people put their spouse above themselves and are willing to say "I'm sorry" and "what can I do to help?" things in your marriage will go much more smoothly.
When we were dating we thought we knew it all! Probably believing that marriage was easy but what has marriage taught you about the difference between “regular love” and agape love?
I thought love was this tangible thing that you could touch but agape love you can't truly put into words. Agape love is deeper than feelings because sometimes your spouse will hurt your feelings or they will make you mad and your feelings won't be in it but agape love says I love you and I believe in our team. Our motto as a couple is "Teamwork makes the dream work"
BONUS: Let’s bring some awareness to the discussion. On Valentines Day many women who are abused find themselves back with their abuser because the cycle of abuse is real and this holiday makes it easy for abusers to woo their victims.
What would tell those wives who are walking through tough times in their marriages?
I would encourage you to love you. To love someone else and to be loved you must first start with yourself. I'd also encourage you to seek help. You can find a social worker to speak with using this link http://www.helpstartshere.org/find-a-social-worker
