Thirteen Years, my dear!

Thirteen years ago, my husband and I said, “I do.”

We said, “I do,” to:

            ~ love

            ~ dreams

            ~ children

            ~ supporting each other

            ~ being steadfast

            ~ making decisions together

            ~ embracing the future – good times and bad

~ forever

Almost sixteen years ago, when we started dating, John and I were not the same in every way. We didn’t have all of the same likes and dislikes. We didn't have the same life experiences. We didn't have the same friends. Our differences drew us together, but it was our similarities in the important areas that kept us together. 

But we don’t enjoy the same things we did when we were dating, either.

Our interests might change, but love never does.

Love can look different in different times in our lives.

I remember being young and in love and staying up too late to eek out a few last minutes with this amazing man I met.

I remember driving with his family across the country for his doctoral graduation – when I hadn’t really known them all that long. I was scared and nervous, but I was happy to be there to support him.

I remember him being excited for me when I got my first teaching job.

I remember getting married and being young and naïve and worried about everything that went into planning that wedding day.

I remember going to Oshkosh for EAA Airventure for the first time … even though I don’t like airplanes – or camping.

I remember thinking life was pretty grand.

And then we had children, and I remember love looked a lot like, “I love you so much that I will stay up for three hours in the middle of the night to play with the baby so you can sleep,” and “I love you so much that I will change this dirty diaper for you,” and “I love you so much that you can go to Mass by yourself today so you can actually listen and I will stay home with the screaming baby,” or "I love you so much that I will let you sleep in while I handle the baby AND make coffee."

Then the kids got a little older and love looked a lot like two crazy people trying to make the best out of hectic schedules and carefully planning who will go where and which parent will take which child and how do we make time to spend special moments with our own small family, our extended families and our friends.

Now love is all of that as well as helping to support each other’s dreams.

I am so thankful that thirteen years later, our love is even stronger! Happy 13 years, dear!

This guy took dance lessons with me for this day!

He was so good to me ~ no cake in my face!

This is one of my favorite photos from that day! 

Where this marriage began ~ with my brother-in-law (one of several) by our side ~ kneeling on the steps of the sanctuary.

At Christmas one year at my in-law's when John had facial hair.

This family we've created.

A rare date-night at a book-release party last year for Josh Stevens!

Outside the church/schoolhouse where we have our homeschool enrichment. Oh, yeah ... that keeps us pretty busy, too!

Us ... thirteen years of marriage, two little girls and what seems like a lifetime later! Love him more than ever!