The 7 Year Itch

This weekend marked our 7th anniversary. We spent the weekend away in Umatilla sans kiddos. We had grand plans to attend a roller derby. Then Saturday came, we ate large quantities of food at Texas Roadhouse and we couldn’t fathom anything else for the evening except going home and putting on pants with elastic waist bands. Truthfully, I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate 7 years than with great steak and elastic waist pants.

For some reason our anniversary is the time of most reflection for me. When I look back on our 7 years, I’m most proud of our marriage. I went into our marriage with the idea of a fairytale. N entered our marriage with the idea of a prison sentence. Somehow, over these 7 years we’ve both let go of our expectations and come together as a couple. I can tell you, without any doubt that is only because of God’s grace, mercy and steadfast faithfulness. Our marriage is a daily miracle that God has blessed me with.

This last year we’ve faced challenges that are the hardest we’ve ever encountered. That is saying something because I had that fairytale concept engraved in my head for a long time. With every moment of difficulty that has come, we have our moments where we lose sight of the goal, but each time we humbly come together, admit we mess things up and give it to God. If I was going to define this last year with any one thing it would be that we both just bow before God, admit we’re human and give ourselves completely to Him both as individuals and in our marriage. For the first time, our spiritual foundation is strong. As a result, we’re more at peace, despite the unrest happening in our lives.

I’m grateful for N and his sacrifices for our family. He is my hero in every way. His love for God, for me and for our family is unending and unconditional. I am so glad that God chose Him to be my partner in this life (and my personal vermin remover). He continues to make me laugh and think of things differently. He is patient and compassionate. He is my soul mate.

N - Thank you for sharing your life with me. These last 7 years have been a bumpy ride, but there is no one else I’d rather be with. Thank you for:

praying with me and for me because I need that the most,
holding my hand when I need reassurance,
showing me affection when I need to be loved,
holding me accountable when I need to be reminded that it’s not all about me,
telling me your thoughts when I know it’s hard to do,
loving me unconditionally in spite of my type-A personally, and
viewing your future with me in it.

I am so grateful that you still like me enough to continue on this ride. You are my knight in shining armor. Thank you for completing my fairytale.