When I found out there would be no wifi and likely no cell service at the lake house where we were going to celebrate my grandparents’ 50th anniversary, I started having a panic attack. Mack, at the same time calm and firm, put his hand on my shoulder and asked, “When is the last time you went a day without email?” When I couldn’t answer him, he said, “You need some quiet.”

When the laughing and the splashing and the boating and the snacking were starting to wear me out, Mack sent me to bed. I protested, and he said, “When’s the last time you weren’t worried about getting something done?” When I couldn’t answer him, he said, “You need some quiet.”

We laid on our backs on the dock and tried to count the stars, and couldn’t… we counted bats flying overhead instead. We listened to country music floating over the water, and when everyone else had gone in for the night, we slow danced to “Half of My Mistakes”.

Thank the Lord for this man who reminds me to quiet my mind, and rest whenever I get the chance. I’d have burnt out long ago if not for this partner in life.

(Obviously, if you don’t know “Quiet Your Mind” by the Zac Brown Band, you should fix that immediately. It’s my summer mantra.