It's Been 8 with My Mate

Eight years, that's what it's been as of 1:30pm today.  Eight years that I've been married to my best friend. Eight years that I wouldn't give back for anything.   It hasn't been all wedded bliss, I won't try to fool you.  But that's what makes us stronger.  Working through those things makes us realize that we are in this journey together and that our love is deeper than any little (or larger) disagreement that might be thrown our way. 

We have been together a total of 18 years.... yes, 18 is what I said.  Those 18 years have taught us how to read each other on the good days and the bad.  Those 18 years have taught us how to communicate about ANYTHING.  And most importantly, those 18 years have taught us how to laugh, love and just be ourselves with one another.  I love that I can just be me whenever we're together.  I can be silly.  I can be sans make-up and hair done. I can be dressed up or dressed in my sweatpants and t-shirts.  I can be happy.  I can be sad.  I can be spontaneous.  I can be organized and calculated.  Whatever it is that I am... it is a-ok with him.

We have gone through a lot of changes over the years.  Some good, some that we had to get used to.  But we got used to them together.  We've had fun together.  We've cried together.  We've laughed together.  We've dealt with disappointment together.  We've experienced complete and utter joy together.  Because of all these things, I love this man, my best friend, more and more each day.  I thought I loved him so much on our wedding day, never in a million years did I think I could love him even more.  But I do!  I love him more than the day he asked me to marry him.  I love him more than the day I married him.  I love him more than I did just a year ago.  And even though I don't know how it will be possible, next year I'll love him more than I do right now.

So, I, Angela, thank you, Rick, for 8 amazing years of marriage and 18 unbelievable years of friendship!  I am proud to call you my husband and I look forward to finding out what adventures the year ahead brings our way.  I love you Sweetie.

I KNEW I Would Use It

This is a great post to follow-up our anniversary post with. Let me start at the beginning - which was at our wedding. You see, I like crystal pieces and so we registered for a few pieces as part of our wedding registry. There were maybe 4 pieces that were on there; however, after opening gifts we ended up with a TON more pieces than that. We loved each and every one of them, but what is a girl to do with all that crystal?? Well, we've displayed some in our hutch, we've got some bowls that we use on a more casual basis, and then there are the ones that haven't even left the box except to look at them when we opened them. It's those "shelf space takers" that Rick asks me "Why are we keeping these?" each and every time we move, try to declutter, or are going through things and have to physically move them.

And that brings me to this beautiful, large crystal bowl. It is gorgeous, heavy and I wouldn't dare part with it, but like I said, it hasn't been actually used in .... oh ... that would be 7 years. However, today is it's debut! I needed a "nice" big bowl for a rather large salad that I am making for our MOMS event and after looking in my cupboards and not knowing what I was going to pick, I remembered this bowl. It's been sitting quietly on our shelves for the last 7 years just waiting to be worthy of being used! Today is its day! Welcome to the world crystal bowl and might I add that you displayed the salad beautifully!

(It was much prettier when the bowl was full of the salad, but I forgot to take a picture before we started digging into our dinner.)

7 Years and Counting...

Some days it seems like yesterday and other days it seems so long ago that Rick and I said those magical "I do" words. It was an amazing day and I still wish it wouldn't have gone by so quickly. A full day... getting ready in the morning with the girls, pictures - lots 'o pictures, a fun limo bus ride with our wedding party, an evening full of family and friends, dancing, and just being "us" while enjoying the special day that was ours.

So 7 years have passed since then and wow.... what a ride it's been. Here is a snapshot of what has happened.

Travel: for work, for play. Some international travel for both of us (Germany, France, Korea, Mexico, etc) Too bad we were never on those trips together and had to work while on them. Travel in the States as well.

Buying a house in WI.

Lots of volleyball (and other sports) nights for the both of us.

Roommate get-togethers with my college roommates and their spouses.

Getting a puppy (the first step to becoming parents.... baby steps we took before taking the plunge of being parents of a human being)

Birth of #1 (2004) and #2 (2006). Adjusting to being parents after Ethan was born and beginning our years of sleep deprivation. Adjusting to the fact that we would have a child with disabilities with Trevor's birth, and...

.... making the move to Utah in the midst of my pregnancy with Trevor.

Looking for, finding and purchasing a house in Utah - all in only 1 week.

Change of job for Rick, and change to being a stay-at-home mom for me.

Having "quiet dinners" after the kids go to bed once a month. (Great alternative to getting a sitter and spending $$ at a restaurant)

Finishing our first basement (ok - it's not totally finished, but it's close.)

Watching each other grow, mature, and become better people, better parents, and better partners each and every year.

Realizing how expensive landscaping a yard can be.

And still thinking of each other each and every time we hear this song play...it's been "our song" for a long time being that our love and commitment was tested over the distance. But we made it through, Faithfully, and I couldn't be any happier that we did.

So, what are we doing to celebrate this 7 year anniversary? It's really romantic so I'm not sure I should tell you. It might make you jealous. But, I guess I'll tell you anyway. Today, I had this great guy (called a plumber), come to the house to fix our toilets and I gave him a nice fat check as a parting gift!!! Isn't that just the best thing ever?? The gift of working toilets! Romantic, don't cha think?

While I wish I could tell you some extravagant story (as it might make things a bit more interesting for you), I will just enjoy having Rick come home from work, watch him laugh and play with the boys, hear the "I love you, Daddy"'s before bedtime, and then be able to say "I love you, Rick" before we turn in for the night. Yes, that is what makes me happy.... the "normalcy" of the life we live. No extravagant needs. Just the love, fun, laughter, compassion, and sense of family that we've built together over the last 7 years!