November 13, 2011
six
So, I promised you a post about our anniversary. I mean, I wanted to write about it, which is why I said I would, but this post almost didn’t happen because Noah went and bought the Settlers of Catan app on Friday and I have been a wee bit addicted. My brother and sister-in-law introduced us to the game last fall when they visited, and I’ve seen the game in stores but it just wasn’t on the “necessity” list. Friday, Noah said he was buying the app and I was kind of meh about it because I wanted to play it on a real board, not a little screen. But then we played. All day. Seriously. We know how to rock an anniversary.
Anyway, what I wanted to tell you was that this anniversary was our best ever. I mean, we didn’t do much to celebrate it, what with my recovering from Monday’s surgery and the whole I-hate-being-away-from-my-baby thing, but the reason it was so significant was because this past year has been our best ever. Good things and bad things have happened in our lives, but that has nothing to do with why this year was good or bad for us. This year was good because we were good. Our relationship was good. It was better than it has ever, ever been.
The years 2009 and 2010 were very, very rough relationally. I didn’t think we’d make it through. I was actually 100% sure we would not. But, somehow, only by the grace of God, we did. We’re here. And we’re not just here, we like being here. I might even say we love being here, but that word is still growing on me. (Wounds, man. They are still healing.)
The here and now and good did not come easy. We hit rock bottom and then we kept going and then we went down a little hill and then we got hit by a bus. And then a semi. And then we were sprayed by a skunk. I think you get the picture.
So, with nowhere to go but up, we started from scratch. It was very slow going, as we had a lot of hurt to work through, and sometimes I wanted to throw in the towel, but I’ll tell you that it was worth it. We’re not at a place where we get along perfectly all the time and there’s never a disagreement ever, but does anyone ever get there? We’re both doing our best. Fighting for a common goal.
If you’d told me six years ago the journey our marriage would take, I probably would have run away screaming. But here, now, six years in, I’m glad I didn’t. I kind of like it here.
Oh honey, I don’t think there’s any such thing as a marriage where the husband and wife get along ALL the time and NEVER have disagreements. Unless one of the spouses is a robot. :-) But you know, the good times are that much sweeter when you know you’ve somehow, by the grace of God and a lot of help and hard work, gotten through the bad times. Hooray for six years, and here’s to sixty more!
Aw, I love this. I’m so happy that you guys made it back up the hill. :)
Happy Anniversary!
This made my day. I’m so happy that you guys are where you are.
I believed in both of you and I am so very happy that you have come out the other side. Together.
Yay, yay, yay!!
No relationship is perfect and there are always disagreements but it’s how we deal with them together that makes a strong marriage.
xoxoxox
This post brought tears to my eyes. There’s nothing I appreciate more than HONESTY about marriage and relationships on these blogs. Thanks for being honest and sharing this post. And I hope you have many many more years together, and more of them like THIS one. :)
Yay! It all comes back to what I believe whole heartedly – marriage, the ones ordained by God, set in His design are worth fighting for. Each one is work, is hard, is fun, is devestating and is hilarious, and somewhere along the road they come to a place where it feels easier to walk away. But when you let the Grace of God take over, you let Him guide you and you trust Him to pick you up – it survives and comes out the other side better.
I watched my parents struggle for 10 years with their marriage, and come to a place where my Mom had already called a divorce lawyer and then one day, God interviened, in a HUGE way. They took another 4 years of seriously difficult work but now here they sit married 29 years and happier than I can remember them ever in my childhood.
It’s worth fighting for and I’m so glad you guys are!
Sounds great! Marriage is work, but it’s worth it. Every day is different and every day there are new blessings and new challenges. Remember the blessings!
Marriage is amazing! God can do amazing things. Congrats and enjoy the next 6 even more. The fight is sooooooo worth it!
Happy anniversary!
As much as Shawn has been home recently he’s lucky he’s still alive.
Last time he said I needed to medicated I threw something at him. I think he learned his lesson.
I smiled so big while reading this post. So happy you guys have made it so far and through so much :D