Star of Bethlehem is one of my go to patterns. I have made them in every size from miniatures with seams an eighth of an inch wide to oversized monsters that cover a California king. I have a plastic tool that makes managing two hundred bias diamonds less of an exercise in frustration and more of a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. Because I have more than my share of fabric, it is a snap to pull a bunch of yardage off the shelves and begin. Being chilly outside this weekend seemed like reason enough to do so. 

 

It takes six seconds to post photos of my quilts on social media. Recently I shared the paper pieced quilt of Benjamin's favorite characters as well as a string quilt for a couple getting married, and a zebra One Block Wonder. In all cases the top was unfinished. Not yet ironed. Unbound. Yet people responded with appreciation and encouragement every time. There were no scolding words reprimanding me for not waiting until I cut the last thread. Everyone seemed tickled to see it in stages.

 

People often offer photos of their children as well. Our twins turn eighteen in a few day, and it will bring me joy to look at pictures of them from many stages of life.  Seeing them as babies, and toddlers, and young girls does not in any way suggest that they are incomplete. 

 

Both of them have room to grow. Learn. Cry. Discover. Still those possibilities do not diminish the beauty of today. 

 

Relationships are, and have ever been unfinished. In spite of the tendency of Grimm and Disney to portray newlywed couples as happily ever after, they are decidedly not. Issues are yet to be ironed out. Children and circumstances will come that bind them together. 

 

Yet even as they beg for more loving attention, more trimming, more time, marriages are worthy of appreciation along the way.