Four Years Married
Well... that went fast! Sometimes I feel like those double digit anniversaries will come on so quick, but at the same time feel like forever (in a good way) - anyone else sense that?
What can I say? Year four has been one of the happiest and hardest years of our marriage. We've been stretched and challenged, yet loved more fiercely and more sincerely than ever. We have faced hard trials before (as every relationship does at some point) but the trial we've been facing this year has dug deep and brought us closer than ever. I truly believe that trials that any individual faces (let alone a couple) can either strengthen them or break them into pieces. In our case, it's strengthened us, but that's really due to the faith we have in Christ. He has a plan for us, and though it's not the plan we had envisioned, it will be crafted and perfected by our Maker.
Aside from our ongoing trial. I am so incredibly thankful that our marriage itself has remained happy, healthy, and as rich as ever in friendship and love. We've renovated a house, visited family, had family and friends visit us, spent so many waking hours together, welcomed the sweetest puppy into our lives, and pursued our dreams and hobbies side by side. This year has been slower, and one where we've felt settled and content. We all need seasons like that, don't we? Though as two restless souls, we will probably get the itch to "go" soon - ha!
It's hard to believe we've been married longer than a four year college stint. That we've witnessed each other grow from naive, young, college ruffians to naive, young, grown-ups. We've developed new opinions based on new perspectives. We've disagreed and agreed over and over. We've had deep, intellectual conversations, followed by the most ridiculous outbursts you ever did hear. We've adventured together, dreamed up a future together, experienced new things, and tried so many new foods. Maybe it's time to try some WORKOUTS this year - haha! We've learned so much about each other, and how to love more deeply than ever before.
As always, more than anything, I am so grateful for our friendship. One that includes so, so, soooo much laughing. Where sass is prevalent and sarcasm overflows. Where driving each other crazy is not a negative thing, but something we embrace and cherish because it makes life interesting. It's a friendship filled with car-ride duets, long talks (rants) about anything, and spontaneous adventures.
Tom and I are more similar than we are different and neither of us would have it any other way. Our stubbornness is perhaps a major fault in that regard, but we handle it the way we handle everything... with a sassy retort and a smack on the bum. Clears that mulish nature right up. I know you think I'm kidding, but I'm definitely not, and there is certainly a lot of laughing and forgetting about whatever it was we were being stubborn about!
Thomas truly is the love of my life, and I am so incredibly blessed to be the one who gets to spend every day with him and be by his side. He makes me a better person and still loves me amidst my inevitable faults and failures. Over four years (well, six actually) my love for him has grown immensely. He is patient (at least with me - haha), thoughtful, oh-so-handsome, and loves Jesus more than me. He is smart, witty, creative, and works hard. He's unapologetically opinionated and dramatic (another trait we both have ample amounts of) and loves to learn. He makes me feel beautiful and beloved and reminds me of this constantly. He is the man that I never dreamed of marrying, but who God knew was just right for me.
Happy four years, my Thomas. I am so blessed to be your wife, and I can't wait for many more years that feel like forever with you. In the words of Leslie and Ben: I love you and I like you.
