wedded bliss

They say that the first year of marriage is hard. Ours was hard, but not necessarily in the traditional sense. I didn't get angry at the small things like the toilet seat being left up or the way he leaves things in his pockets when putting them in the dirty clothes basket (You'd think that washing his cell phone and his packages of gum multiple times would teach him this simple concept). Instead, we spent the year making our house a home, understanding the dynamics of the new level of our relationship, and suffering our share of heartache. We lost a baby our first year of marriage and pulled through that horrific tragedy stronger than I ever could have guessed. We were blessed again so quickly with our precious gem, and our lives have been changing continuously ever since.

In our second year of marriage, we welcomed that sweet baby, and again took on the exhausting task of discovering who we are in our new identity, this time not as a "husband and wife," but as "mom and dad." It's been a whirlwind-parts of me cannot believe that it has already been two years of this life we have made together. But, sometimes, I actually feel like maybe we should be that 65 year old couple, because things just feel so perfect, and I feel like we have known each other for an eternity.

We have come to know each other in a multitude of new ways in the last two years, despite the idea that we have been an item for six years now and known each other for eight. I don't believe in soul mates, because that accentuates the misconception that marriage is easy and perfect. But, I do believe that I have found my ideal partner in crime-what an adventure we have taken. We're the grown ups you can find playing racing games on the Wii, emerged in the newest toys at a toy store, or poking fun at one another relentlessly. Marriage is one wild ride that takes a lot of upkeep and dedication. I have loved every twist and turn of this ride, [though possibly not at the exact time of those jolting hurdles], because they have all shaped us into the couple we are today.

We have made our house a home, and we have made our love into a family. I can't think of anyone I would rather be taking this ride with-Jimmy is an incredible source of strength, love, admiration, and support. Seeing him take on the daddy role this year makes my heart swell with pride and joy. Prior to marriage, I was one of those doubting, cynical onlookers of the lovey-dovey relationships where people proclaim that their love grew by the day. What a silly thing to say! Now that I know love, and know my wonderful husband, I can join the group of over-enthused, head-over-heels-in-love people and say the same thing.

If I were to sum up our second year of marriage in one descriptive word, I would say that it was effervescent. And then I would cheat and throw in a couple of others before you could tell me that I was cheating: loving, fun, and adventurous. What a happy two years that it has been-here's to a whole bunch more!