♥ Happy 3rd Anniversary ♥
Ninja ~
In old movies people used to say, "I love you so much, I want to shout it from the rooftops so everyone will know!" Because we live in an apartment building and it's winter and facebook will reach a bizillion more people than my 'outside voice', I wanted to publicly express how I feel about you - my husband - on our 3 year anniversary.
Each year of our marriage has been hugely different ~
Year one was the year of bliss. While we had our occasional disagreement, we were too enamored to really care all that much and we truly enjoyed married life. We would laugh in the faces of people who said, "If you get through the first year, you can get through anything!" It was easy, mostly effortless. You could get away with anything because, OMG, you were my HUSBAND!!! I just liked saying it. We were so in love and nothing else in the world mattered!
Year two was our year of...hmm..how shall I put this? It was our year of adjustment. The cutest little quirks became the most ANNOYING.THINGS.ON.THE.PLANET. We realized we weren't going to always agree. We always loved each other but on some days we didn't like each other much. Overall, we weren't willing to step outside of ourselves, see the big picture, and get over my our egos. :) While it wasn't as easy as our first year together, I think most of our problem was just growing pains. We had to realize that we weren't the same person ~ we had different opinions, personalities, and habits.
Year three has been a year of compromise. To me, I've felt it's been the most rewarding so far. In our L&R class, when a question came up about our perception of heaven, you said that the moments when you and I are most in sync, on the same page, and together together, that comfort and peace is how you expect heaven to feel. That night I fell a little more in love with you. That night I wanted to make more of an effort to accept the fact that you aren't always going to put the new toilet paper roll on the the holder and sometimes you might drive too fast for my liking or might not be at your very best first thing in the morning when all I want to do is chat about how you slept! What did you dream? And what do we have planned for the day!?!? And you've let me be who I am even though I have tended to be a little cranky when I'm hungry or bossy when I'm convinced I know the best way to do something or when I forget to be a good listener. We've given each other more space to grow and change into what we're meant to be, not who the other person expects us to be. This last year we haven't been so quick to judge one another or criticize ~ instead we've walked through things together. We are clear on what we want, where we're going, and how we're going to get there and the relief that gives my melancholy mind is more precious to me than you'll ever know.
Knowing that I have a warrior out there daily, fighting for what is right in this world of so many wrongs makes me so very proud to be your wife. I saw a smidgen of your heart when we first met all those years ago, but I'm thankful you've revealed more of it to me now. Thank you for trusting me to keep it whole and unbroken.
More than knowing how much I adore you, you must know that I truly do respect you. Your capacity to give your whole self to others stretches me big time. Over the years, I've seen you give out at least 1000 high fives...and I'm probably waaay low in my 'calculations'. But it seems as though everytime you high five someone, your happiness rubs off on them. In the last three years, I've never seen one person walk away without a smile on their face. Not one. I'd say your record speaks for itself.
Your vision inspires me. When I'm feeling confused about my priorities, or can't seem to see passed the upcoming week, you open my eyes to what the future holds for us and why we have to do things a certain way. You're my big dreamer in a world where so many people are uncertain and doubtful and I can't help but feel blessed every day that you instill such hope in me. The fire might have burned out for my dreams if you wouldn't have shown me the way. Playing follow the leader is so much better when you have a person you trust and I do trust you to lead!
Thank you for getting advice from the right people and actually taking it. I take great comfort in knowing that you're in counsel with people that are rooting for us and only want the very best for our marriage and life in general. The wisdom they've shared with both of us has done wonders...
Speaking of, I wanted to thank the following people for being that example we can turn to. Each of you has had a positive impact on our marriage...you've exuded such peace and happiness and knowing all of you has changed our lives for the better ~ with your example, we're picking up little hints here & there on how to far surpass the 3 year mark:
Thank you:
Ron & Barb, Chris & Tara, Jason & Peggy, Jeff & Kathy, Vince & Amy, Jim & Jenny, Chad & Elisa, Andrew & Jenny, and Paul & Holley. We love you all so much!
Ninja ~ everyday I want to make you happy you chose me. Because everyday I'm so thankful you did.
Happy anniversary, honey ~
S.
