crazy eight

(36 weeks)

Happy anniversary to my awesome, loving husband. Thank you for not only a wonderful night out, but a wonderful marriage. I will always remember that bronze is just as valuable as gold.
Love,
Your #1 Wife

better with age

It's amazing how slowly change can happen. As I look at the threads hanging off the edges of the bathroom towels, I wonder when they started unraveling in the first place. The pots and pans have seen better days, and the non-stick surface that made for flawless cooking in the beginning is now flaking. (And I wonder, how far gone is too far for these to be safe??? I also wonder how I got roped into non-stick in the first place.) Some cereals bowls have been chipped, some drinking glasses have broken. Things that were new seven years ago are now showing signs of age.

Are we?

I know we're a little more weathered than we were in 2004. A few more wrinkles around the eyes and pounds around the middle. We each have age spots and blemishes that tell a story. And I think you'd agree that my grays are much easier to spot. Yes, we've aged.

But unlike the gifts that were given to us seven years ago, we haven't lost our place. The original towels are now designated for car washes and cleaning. The pans exchanged one at a time. The glass recycled. But not us.

Instead of being tossed because of our flaws, we're more comfortable. More in sync. We still stack up perfectly, just like the cereal bowls, regardless of how many chips or runs through the dishwasher.

Thanks for loving me regardless. Can't wait to see how long the duvet cover lasts ;)
Happy anniversary.

anniversary apart

Good morning, Love. And happy anniversary. By now, I'm sure, you're ready for me to come home and relieve you from your daddy duties. And by now, I'm sure, I'm more than ready to return. Thinking about you today across the miles and remembering that special Saturday six years ago. Loving you, Rach

a five year union

Last weekend Scott and I were discussing what kinds of things we should pack in a bag for the hospital. After all, we're just a couple weeks away and you can never be too prepared, right? Funny thing happened, though. We started talking about how much we overpacked when we were there for Morgan.

Somehow we decided to pull out our "vintage" camcorder (a wedding present, ironically) to research the hospital stay from just two years ago. As Scott sat on the sofa, I worked the camera through the television and we were taken back to March of 2007 where we verified that, indeed, we did bring way too much to the hospital.

After being so emotionally drawn into the past, we popped in another tape - Sarah and Doug's wedding footage. Then, several of our home tours (aka Rachel videotapes the house in silence to document all the changes and updates). The other night, we stumbled across video from our first Christmas as a married couple and then a vacation road trip taken in that first year of marriage.

We looked good. Skinny. We were happy, goofy idiots. Childless, with nothing better to do than roll tape.

It's hard to imagine our life together back then, but seeing ourselves like that was refreshing. We had different priorities. I had cute hair all the time. With highlights. Scott would wash the Jeep by hand. Drying every door jamb, polishing every wheel.

What fun we had as newlyweds. The time of our lives when the biggest challenge was picking sofa fabric. Ha.

And yet, I don't find myself missing those days. In the same way that I no longer miss a carefree college lifestyle, or even the freedom to just pick up and go, I have moved beyond that.

With each passing year comes more depth to our marraige. More experiences, more memories, more fullness. Maybe we're still on the climb. Maybe we're still on the high of adventure with each new layer that becomes our history. But it feels good to have someone's hand along every step of the way. Because it isn't always one foot in front of the other. Sometimes there's a slip and fall. A misunderstanding about who will lead. Or which path to take.

Five years ago today, documented on our wedding video, my Grandma B. said something I'll never forget... you're with your spouse longer than any other family member. You leave your parents. Your children leave you. And yet still by your side through a majority of your life is your husband or wife.

I'm so happy that we have each other. And that standing, side by side, we'll always be us. Happy anniversary, babe.

On our honeymoon in August of 2004, camcorder in hand.

our grass is greener

Happy anniversary. Love you to pieces.

the little things

Does your spouse make the bed? Clean poop stains? Watch HGTV? Do the dishes? I'm proud to say that mine does (sorry, honey, your secrets are out)! To me, nothing says love like being a part of the team. Or maybe I should rephrase, maybe it's taking one for the team? I like to think I'm a pretty good teammate, too. I watch Lions, Tigers and Pistons - I draw the line at the Red Wings - fold undershirts in a very matter-of-fact way, and every now and then... look out... I throw some full-priced treats into the grocery cart.

It's those little things in the daily routine of life that make a marriage successful. It's wanting to do something for the other person more than for yourself. And it's always, always best when it's least expected. So while today marks the anniversary of our three-year union, we both know that it's the in's and out's of every day that really count. And that is why our average, any night of the week chicken dish will not be a dinner disappointment tonight, but rather another opportunity to listen to each other, talk about the day's events and enjoy another anniversary.

cheers to two great years

A special toast to the man who makes my juice every week, washes the floors, let's me drive his car, affectionately picks me up in the middle of the kitchen, makes the bed, endures HGTV, and a whole host of other great, giving things.

Love you.