This is a scan of our family calendar for February. It seems appropriate as it showcases several fun events Mike and I enjoyed last year, as well as our trio. We’ve been together for eleven years and married for nine, so it’s almost impossible to picture the road our lives would have taken if we would have chosen a different path. I’m grateful every day that we chose each other. And it’s so true… all of it — from where we live and work to our beautiful trio is truly “all because two people fell in love…”
Nine years ago, when we walked down the aisle and promised to spend our lives together, I was a 22-year-old high school teacher. I thought I was all grown-up then, but looking back I realize I was just a baby. While I thought I knew what marriage was about, I truly had no clue — honestly, I probably still don’t. I just wake up every day and make the choice to be married to Mike. To love him. And thus far, it’s gotten me by.
I make the choice every morning to do my best to be the best wife, mother, teacher, writer, friend, and everything else in between. I choose to love Mike and to do my best to live my life in a way that makes our life together worthwhile. I choose to bring in the garbage can when I don’t want to walk out in the cold so that he doesn’t have to. It’s all of the little things that make up my day that cultivate our life together. And it isn’t always easy. It isn’t always sunshine and roses. But the hard work is always worth it. Always.
If I could talk to myself 9 years ago, while I was enjoying my peanut butter and jelly sandwich before walking down the aisle, I’d still tell myself to do it. I’m not sure I’d tell myself about some of the struggles we’d face — infertility, moving, the realities of three children under the age of 2, and others… But I’d tell my 22-year-old self the truth — it won’t always be easy — but it will be worth it. It will be beautiful. And that in the long run, it all ends up right where you need to be.
So that is what I’m telling myself today, as we celebrate 9 years of marriage together — while sometimes the road is curvy, as long as Mike and I are together, we’ll end up where we need to be.
I love you, Mike. I choose you. Today and always.
I love this post! Happy Anniversary! I also walked down the aisle at age 22, thinking I knew it all. Now I’ve learned (and continue to learn) all the truths of marriage you described. I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s a wonderful feeling that you are exactly where you are supposed to be in life!
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