Knight in Shining Armor

As women, we are drawn in at a young age with dreams of a knight riding in on a white horse, with pristine armor, and rescuing us from whatever drab life we may be living, and ultimately taking us to his huge castle to live happily ever after.  Right?  Okay, well, maybe you didn't, but you get the idea?  I (Serena) was a bit too logical to actually believe that THIS would be my life, as I had been raised knowing that marriage took work.  BUT, I still did believe that I could have a "Knight in Shining Armor." 

When our drama finally started coming to light, and the truth of everything was being revealed, I realized that my days of a believing THAT were over.  I mean, FOR GOOD!!  But, wait, this is not going to be a depressed, woe-is-me post; I was about to discover something much better. 

Dreams of a knight with shining armor made me realize that this knight, my husband, had never been in real battle.  He had never known what it meant to get a few dings and dents on his armor.  It was pristine; it was NEVER used.  Ironically, it was soon after the development of the full suit of plate armor that the medieval knight's advantage in battle began to wane, so even in REAL life this idea of armor wasn't really everything we dreamed it should be. With the effective use of gunpowder weapons, the face of combat changed. The cumbersome armor of a knight proved ineffective and impractical against new weapons and tactics. The knight and his plate armor were now relegated to ceremonial duties and displays. These "ceremonial" suits of armor are usually very ornate, featuring extensive fluting, intricate engravings, and other decorative features more at home in the world of fashion than battlefield utility.
 
I spent years with a husband who wore a "ceremonial suit," instead of a husband who realized that Satan's weapons and tactics are going to need a man to stand and fight.  Our perspectives do not have to be that we didn't get what we dreamed we should have; I may not have the ceremonial husband....but I much rather prefer the battle scars and the strength that has come about because of the fights and battles we have endured. 
 
History has always been intriguing to me, and medieval times with knights and ladies happens to be one of my favorites.  The knights would also wear the full suit of armor because it would allow them to bow out of a fight.  The opponents didn't know who they were fighting because the amount of armor could conceal the identity of a person.  Women were able to take the place of men, and they would try to convince their opponents of their ability to be "just as good as a man!"   All of these things mean so much to me now...I don't want my husband bowing out of a fight--no matter how hard.  So, I don't want him to have the fancy armor that distracts from the battle that needs to be fought.  AND, I definitely don't want to take his place; I am a lady.  I would much rather see him stand and fight with an armor that may not be perfect looking but  protects.  It may not be shiny, but that is ONLY because it has been battle-tested.  Josh is still my knight and he knows how to fight now.  He isn't on display for all to admire; he is out there fighting for our family. 

Perspectives might just need to change--a knight in shining armor may not be as sexy as you have always thought!  However, sending your man off to fight and not allowing him to just sit on display...now THAT is sexy.

Serena