I feel like it's taken us forever to get to you and then in the next second, I can't believe it's only been 10 months since you changed my life forever. I've looked forward to this day for a while now, knowing that if we could make it 10 months, we are only two months away from one of the greatest celebrations in our lives. I've learned in these 10 months though, to celebrate the small steps along with the huge leaps and that's why I'm writing to you.
You've consumed our lives, Marriage. You are on my mind at any given moment of the day while I weave my cart through the aisle of my favorite grocery store, seeking inspiration for a new meal that will wow my treasured husband, keeping in mind I'm already running later than I planned to be. I think of you and how you've changed my life for the better when I'm trying to fall asleep in our huge bed when Husband is away fighting a fire. I'd give just about anything for him to be home but I'm so at peace knowing that our marriage is a strong foundation on which we are building our life.
You are the reason I love holding Ian's hand. I love feeling that dry, rough skin remembering our first night in Jamaica where we marveled at our new wedding rings in the moonlight. We added to our forever plans on that beach. Some were simple ones like scuba diving together, taking advantage of mimosa's with breakfast and promising to always kiss goodnight. Others were major plans of babies, investment accounts, our mutual desire to have a house full of books and how I would never be the one to make the coffee because Ian can't drink sludge at home when it's often the only option at fire camp. I remember Ian continually fidgeting with his ring, his slight grin so obvious without his beard. I love this daily reminder of the covenant we made before God to be great forgivers, passionate lovers and each other's protectors.
You've been a challenge, Marriage and I know you'll still find ways to test us. In the last ten months though, thanks to you, our trust is deeper. We laugh so much more and are learning not to sweat the small stuff. My tears ducts are still very over active but Ian's patience has grown. I cry, he laughs, we kiss and then I sigh with contentment that I married the one my soul loves. You've forced us to be ones who listen to not just the words of each other but heart. You had stretched us as forgivers. Without you, both of us may still be too independent for our own good. Our horizon has expanded, our sense of adventure has heightened. We are better together than we ever were apart. Our differences are pale in comparison to our similarities.
We've embraced you, Marriage and we so look forward to what you have in store for us over the next 80 years or so. We're excited for the day that we're celebrating 10 years instead of 10 months. We can't wait to look back on this year and see how strong we are and yet full of grace. May you always remind us to love as fiercely as we currently do. May we continue to celebrate you with sticky notes plastered all around as a Welcome Home. Please let us always find things to laugh about until we don't even know why we are laughing. Let us fight fair, for our marriage, our love, our family...but remind us to always fight together and never against each other. Give us babies (one at a time and not quite yet), and wisdom to prioritize us when huge change occurs. I hope we always find the joy in evenings spent drinking tea and watching football, knowing that it's the perfect pair on a perfect night because it's so us. Help us to never compare our love to anyone else's because ours is more than enough.
Thank you for changing us. Thank you for taking over the every day and giving new meaning to life. We're going to keep you around, Marriage- at any expense. We made it 10 months into one of the toughest years of our lives and we are still standing, still loving and so looking forward to the future. We're going to give our best so that our marriage will be one that our great-grand kids strive for. Centered in Jesus. Abundant in love. Forgiving and kind, laugh lines obvious when we smile.
The kind that makes by-passers stop for a second and hope for the same flame with the one they love.
Here's to forever and a day with the One I prayed for and would give my life for.
The best is yet to come!
Love,
Katie
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