The Love of My Life!

I met my husband about 18 years ago.  He was a high school friends cousin.  I was not won over the first time we met.  I actually thought he was much to cocky and arrogant for my liking.  He didn't think a girl could drive his truck. So, of course, I had to prove him wrong.  He told me then that he would make me his wife.  Whatever buddy. :)

Christmas of 1994 he presented me with a cutting board, some silverware, and an engagement ring.  I remember him telling me that I should think about it for awhile because it would be forever.  Have to admit, that scared me.  Forever and marriage is not something I was raised with.  I had never seen a healthy marriage and didn't know anyone who had stayed married.  I was so in love though and I couldn't imagine being with anyone else.  I said yes.

We were married in August of 1995. We will celebrate 16 years this year.  He still makes my heart melt when he says my name.  I miss him terribly when he is away and always look forward to him coming home. It is him I think of when I hear love songs and it is him that I want to grow old with.  He is the first person I want to see in the morning and the last one I want to hold at night.

Has it always been easy? No, marriage never is. Life is messy and it takes work and sometimes it is really hard. What I have learned is that you must be willing to fight.  To fight for your marriage, to fight for your man, to fight for your family.  That means forgiveness, mercy, and grace extended when you don't always feel like it.  That means taking date nights seriously and following through.  Celebrating the big and small things in life. That means striving to put the others needs before your own and not striving to always have it your way.  That means taking care of yourself (mind, body, and soul), don't always greet him at the door in sweats :) Be his biggest cheerleader and tell him often! It also helps to marry a man who thinks he's a comedian.  :)

These are just a few of the things that I have learned so far.  I pray in another 16 years I will have learned even more :)