I was in a patient’s room when my phone rang twice. Behold, it was a call from “Treasured Love”—my husband.
I had left my phone on my computer table while I rushed into the patient’s room after the RVM alarm sounded, alerting us to prevent her from having a sudden fall.
As soon as I came out of the room, two of my coworkers who had seen the name on my phone burst out laughing in the most friendly way.
“Wow! She called and saved his name as ‘Treasured Love.’ Call Treasured Love back!”
He had called twice.
I couldn’t resist the laughter. I laughed out loud. But as I laughed, I also pondered.
I thought to myself, These people have no idea how many times that name has been changed to something completely different and funny whenever I became irritated or angry with this man. 😂
But that moment made me realize something.
A name lovingly saved in your phone can say a lot. To others, it may simply be a beautiful name. But sometimes, it represents the love, respect, memories, and bond that exist between two people.
It can give the world the impression that everything is perfect, even when the couple is quietly going through difficult seasons.
And perhaps that is not entirely a bad thing.
A woman or man who continues to cherish their spouse even when things are not going well is demonstrating something important: marriage is not sustained by good days alone.
A strong marriage will face trials.
There will be moments when wealth is tested, health is challenged, beauty changes, emotions fluctuate, and the beautiful names you once called each other may become difficult to say.
When those moments come, care for yourself—and care for your spouse.
Hold each other’s hands.
Remember the beautiful names you once called one another.
Remember the memories you created together.
Remember the laughter.
Remember the kindness.
Remember the love that brought you together.
And when possible, overlook each other’s shortcomings.
Remember your Yes, I do.
Beauty may fade.
Health may be tested.
Wealth may temporarily disappear.
Circumstances may change.
But remember what you both hold dear and what you have beautifully shared.
Marriage is not a journey without trials. It is a journey where two people choose, again and again, to stand together through those trials.
So, when life becomes difficult, don’t be too quick to forget the person you once prayed for, loved, cherished, and chose.
Stay strong for one another.
Keep choosing kindness.
Keep choosing patience.
And, whenever you can, keep calling each other by those beautiful names.
May Allah strengthen our marriages, place sakīnah, mawaddah, and raḥmah between our spouses, and help us remain loving companions through every season of life.
Umm Sumayyah Mai
