Love

Today is a very special day.  9 years ago today, I married the man of my dreams.  I can’t hardly believe that it has already been 9 years since we tied the knot, and almost 14 years since we first met.  Time has flown by way too fast.

It’s amazing how love changes you, and how marriage with the one you love more than anything changes you.  Love is truly the most beautiful gift, and I feel so blessed to have shared so many special years with my hubby.

So in honor of our anniversary, I wanted to share 9 things that I have learned in our 9 beautiful years together:

1.  Never wait for the “perfect” time.  Some people thought that we were getting married too young and thought that we should wait a few more years.  But you know what?  The second we got married, we both agreed that we should have done it even earlier.  When you meet your other half, anytime is the right time to get married, go on an adventure or plan out life’s next big milestone.
2. Be thankful everyday.  Make a point to be grateful for each other and life’s small blessings everyday.  With busy lives and work schedules, it can be easy to overlook the wonderful tiny things in your everyday lives – whether it be a good cup of coffee, a back rub or even a few minutes of sunshine.  By choosing gratitude everyday, you stay more connected and more joyful as a couple – and all of the small blessings snowball into larger ones.
3. Show your love.  My hubby and I both know that we love each other, but we also make a point to say it to each other countless times throughout the day and do small things that show our love to each other.  One of my favs from the Mr. is the almost nightly foot massage.
4. Choose each other.  This was the best piece of advice that we received before we got married.  My Mom actually got it from an old friend’s Mom that she bumped into while grocery shopping, and here it is: every single day, take each others hands, and hold each others wedding rings, and re-choose each other.  Look into each others eyes and tell each other how much you love each other.  Start each day with the same love that you shared on your wedding day.  Not a day has gone by that we have missed this.  And even when we have been apart, we have done it over the phone and even through email.  It has become a very special moment for us, and the best way for us to start our day.  Although our love story began long before our wedding day, starting our day by honoring our vows…there is truly nothing better.
5. Laugh.  Find the humor in everything.  Laugh all of the time.  Joke around and never grow up.  I love to find laughter and humor in as much as I can.  Sometimes it’s cracking a good joke, sometimes it’s poking fun of the Mr. or sometimes it’s jumping out and scaring him. (I find this one hilarious, him, not so much.)
6. Take time to be quiet together.  Between trying to accomplish everything on our to-do lists everyday, it can be easy to forget to slow down.  To hold each other just a little extra longer in the morning, to hug each other and just enjoy that moment, to turn off the t.v. and just lay quietly together.  Creating those quiet moments together truly helps us stay connected even during our busiest times.
7. Pray together.  My Grandma always said, “the couple that prays together, stays together.”  I realize that this isn’t for everyone, but a similar idea can be applied.  For me and the Mr., sharing a few quiet moments praying together and thanking God for our blessings is something that is very important to us.  But it doesn’t have to be a conversation with God, just taking the time to quietly appreciate life’s goodness together is a great practice.
8. Change it up.  Variety is the spice of life, right?  Completely!  Surprise each other in little ways.  Sometimes my hubby surprises me with flowers, sometimes with a massage, but sometimes he shows me extra patience, or gives me a ton of extra hugs.  Whatever it is, it’s always fun to see what each new day will bring.
9. Remember these 3 words: Love never fails.  There is nothing that can come between you and your partner that the power of your love can’t overcome.  The common denominator in every situation is the love that you share.  No matter who feels they are right or who is wrong, or who is hurt, or who has mis-communicated, you can both always agree that despite anything that may be going on, you love each other.  Keep love at the center of everything in your lives, that is the most important thing.

Happy Anniversary my love.  These past 9 years have truly been magical.  I can’t wait to see where this adventure will take us next.  I love you.