9 years

My husband and I recently celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. It fell on a work day, so we exchanged presents the night before. I made him a first date basket that contained symbols of our first date that happened back in March 2006.

On our first date, Alex cooked Pad Thai for us, we had poached pear for dessert, and shared a bottle of white wine. Well, I wasn't going to attempt to cook ANY of that (I'm not the chef in the marriage!) and neither of us really drink, so I grabbed a bottle of sparkling grape juice.

He gave me a lot more. An electric kettle, a smoothie maker, yoga socks, mason jars, and a big container for water or coffee (I'm was into beverages).

It shows how different our love languages are. But Alex and I are just very different period.

Us on June 27, 2018

Marriage isn't easy and I think I'm well within my rights to say that it has been one of the hardest things I've ever done (and I've run 12 marathons). An added challenge happens when two people are as different as Alex and I are. Our views and reactions to things can be drastically dissimilar. I'm way into lists and he's just not. He can be spontaneous and fun and I need to have a plan. We're just not always in-sync. But on those rare occasion, when we're both calm, mellow, happy, and all is right with the world...things can be magic.

If these past 9 years has taught me anything it's that life is a challenge and you can never be prepared for the curve balls that will inevitably be thrown at you. How you react to them will decide the next steps though. Life is often messy, cruel, and hard. And to get through it in one piece, you have to look for those souls that can shine a little light in your dark corners when you need it most. Alex has held that light for me.

So cheers to 9 years and the learning and growing that has gone along with it. :)

XOXO

KS

Us June 27, 2009