Almost two years ago, Kellie and I had the privilege of both being involved in the beautiful wedding of Colby and Katherine Paxton, a wonderful young couple. I have known Kat since she was a kid as she grew up in our youth group. We were always great buds--there's few people in this world who are as much fun as Katherine. And I met Colby right around the time he was finishing up his college baseball career as a pitcher at Auburn. I was immediately impressed with Colby's humility, maturity, and his devotion to God. I knew instantly, because of their mutual faith, they were going to be really great for each other.
We recently checked in with the two of them, happily married, living in Nashville, and asked the Paxtons to share how things have been going since their wedding day:
You two were married in August of 2005. It's hard to believe that it's been that long already since your wedding day! How long did you guys date before that?
Kat: We dated a year then we were engaged for 8 months.
What were the most important things you each considered in picking the other to be your spouse for life?
Kat: One of my main considerations was that Colby was a good complement to my personality. And he is. He has enabled me to be who I am but reins me in and encourages me when I need to follow the Lord's direction.
Colby: One of my main considerations was that Katherine was confident in herself--that has allowed me to get to know her in a deeper way. Also, I thought she had a very genuineness in relation to friends and family which is important to the both of us.
What has surprised you the most about married life so far?
Kat: I was surprised how different we really are. Colby thinks differently and acts differently and we arrive at different conclusions. But I would also say that we are learning how to accept the other's opinion and come to a mutual conclusion as a family. I have learned that the Lord also uses Colby to show me a different perspective.
Colby: I would agree with that. You learn a lot about your spouse and I have discovered not only am I different, but now I realize we are different people. However, we are starting to understand each other a little better. Also, I realize more about myself--that I have some selfish tendencies that I didn't realize until I had to start thinking for two.
What has been the greatest challenge for you as a young married couple?
Colby: I think it has been to manage our schedules and to allow time for us as a married couple--making that a priority.
Kat: We have realized how busy we have been in our marriage and have since made a conscious effort to say "no" to social engagements and carve out time for each other.
You don't have children yet. How much free time do you guys get to spend together?
Colby: We spend most weeknights together. When we aren't traveling on the weekends, we mainly hang out with each other or other married couples.
You moved to Nashville to start your married life together. Neither of you had lived there before you met. How has that adjustment been for you?
Kat: It was hard for me, initially, to move to Nashville. I didn't know anyone. Meanwhile, Colby had instant friends from work. I was lonely, but it was good for us to be able to hang out all the time and continue to get to know each other. Slowly, I dug into Nashville and made friends through my job. We've also made friends at church with people in the same stage of life as we are--with other couples.
Colby: Since I had lived in Nashville for a year before we got married, I had friends both from work and outside of work. This made it difficult to balance still having those friends while also being married. Meanwhile, Katherine had just moved here and those friends were not in the same stage of life as us.
Did you have challenges finding married couple friends in Nashville?
Kat: At first we didn't have many couple friends and that was a challenge. But after we joined a church, we were plugged into a Community Group and then we met people that were also newly married.
Nashville has so many churches. Was it hard for you guys to find one you liked?
Colby: Nashville does have many churches. But it was hard to visit because we were in and out of town a lot. We had trouble narrowing down to the short list. But, thankfully, we were able to find a church that we both love and where we want to be involved.
Neither of your in-laws live in Nashville. What kind of issues does that cause?
Kat: It is hard, no matter if in-laws are in or out of town. Colby's family lives three hours away, but we don't see them all the time. We are thankful to have a family relatively close by, but it is hard, especially during the holidays. Our parents are great and respect our time, but it is difficult to see both sets as much as we would like.
Colby: Since both sets of in-laws don't live in Nashville, it has been a blessing to grow into our own family. Though we really miss seeing them, it has been a great thing for our marriage.
What do you guys get to do for fun?
Kat: We have enjoyed working on our house and spending time with good friends in and out of town.
What would you say to a young couple getting ready to be married? What advice would you give?
Both: We would say to enjoy the engagement process, because it is really easy to wish it away.
Thanks, Colby and Katherine, for the great interview! Hope to see you guys soon. ~Brett & Kellie
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