Celebrating 5 amazing years

Last Saturday Mike and I celebrated 5 years of marriage. After everything we have been through this year, we put aside all money issues and we just got away for the weekend. We spent an amazing weekend in the mountains of North Ga.

These are the moments you just stop and admire all God has created. 

Getting ready for our "sleigh ride" 

It may be cheesy, but we like cheese! 

Our tradition that I look forward to every year! 

Mike, thank you for this extraordinary life! 

What an incredible weekend.

I spent a great deal of time battling this weekend to ensure I didn't dwell on the negative. I wanted to celebrated what I did have, and the positive in my life. Most people say that they married the most incredible man, and he is perfect, and I will be one of those people. Mike is the MOST AMAZING husband! He has given me so much in this life that I sit in awe sometimes.

I have always been close to my family, and he has give me much more to add. Mike gave me 2 very shy brothers who didn't know what to think of the crazy outgoing girl that their brother married. Mike gave me aunts, uncles, and cousins in abundance. I have never NEVER been an "in-law" to them. I have only ever been just Marie, their niece and cousin. From the very first meeting, I was loved and accepted, and not many people can say that about their spouses family. Mike gave me another set of parents that I am constantly in awe of, they are selfless, loving, giving, inspiring, nurturing people with hearts of gold. His mom is a saint on earth, and she constantly is my source of comfort and strength. As long as I live I will never forget the words she said to me in the hospital as I was waiting to be wheeled into surgery. "I cry with you and I hurt with you, don't you worry, you are not alone. We know your mom can't be here, but we will be here for her. We love you our dear sweet daughter".  He also gave me Grandparents, which I have not had since I was 10. I gained 2 grandmothers who loved me from Day 1. I knew when I met him that he was incredibly close to this Dad's mom, and a week before our wedding she told to just love her baby doll. I ended that conversation with one of her favorite sayings and got to here it back for the last time, "I love you best of all" ME! She loved me!! That was the last conversation I got to have with her, because sadly she passed right after our wedding, still- I got to be her Granddaughter.  Mike will never know how much he gave me in these people that I am so blessed to call my family now.

When Mike comes into your life he brings joy, enthusiasm, laughter, passion, silliness, comfort, strength, bravery, friendship, generosity, honesty, kindness, and wisdom. He has shown me a world I never thought was possible and makes me appreciate every single day on this earth, because it is a day spent with him.

There are moments that I fall in love with him all over, and they are times I wish the world could see. Like when the boy with ABSOLUTELY no rhythm will dance in the car to some Top 40's station, because it makes me laugh EVERY SINGLE TIME! When the strongest man I know sees that I am hurting, scared or nervous will bend down and sing me our "Sunshine" song just because it helps. The man who HATES recognition for any good deed, will go out of his way to help someone out. I see all these things all the time. I wish the world could see more of it, but I am selfish and I like that it is just us in that little bubble.

So to that amazing husband of mine. Thank you for loving me just the way I needed. Thank you for being my rock to lean on and also my soft place to land. To quote my favorite line from my favorite movie ever, "No measure of time with you will be long enough, but let's start with forever". I love you my handsome! Thank you for 5 incredible years!

Lessons of marriage

In one week I will celebrate 5 years of marriage with my amazing spouse, partner, love, and friend. I could write a book of all the lessons we have learned together but I will stick to 5. One lesson learned for each year.

2007- I have learned that when you have never lived with someone before, especially the opposite sex those first couple weeks and months can be difficult.  Just take a step back, order a pizza and tackle it all together. 2 is always better than one!

2007

When my happily ever after began….

2008- I have learned that there is always something to hope for. Change is sometimes a good thing.  So many things changed in 2008, work changed, deployments were coming up, and we officially decided to try for a baby. add in buying your first home and the stress level goes through the roof. One piece of paper at a time. The change might all be scary, but you are establishing your future so it so worth every step.

2008

Our home.

2009- I have learned, no matter how many times you have been apart, a day a week, a month or a year every goodbye is hard. Being without your other half sucks, every single day of it sucks. You are allowed to cry, be mad, and miss them, but you also need to make every phone call, message, e-mail and visit worth it. You are never promised tomorrow, so make it count today. 

2009

There aren't words for this kind of heart ache. 

2010- Just like every time deployments suck, every homecoming makes it worth it! Homecomings are amazing and there is no greater feeling! I have learned to appreciate every one! I also learned that going from being Miss Independent, back to depending on someone to be there is hard, and takes a ton of communication, and team work, and if it becomes too much, just go out and get help! Even if that help shows up at 10 pm with coffee. :-) 

2010 

 

There aren't words for this kind of happiness. 

2011- I have learned that the greatest thing about being young, in love and with no restrictions is you can just pick up and go. Mike and I have been on some amazing adventures together. 2011 was my favorite. We got to experience a romantic getaway to Florida, a dream coming true adventure in Seattle, and Forks Washington, but got to lounge on the beaches of Mexico! 

2011   

Cozumel, Mexico 

Amelia Island, Florida 

Port Angeles, Washington

Forks, Washington

Seattle, Washington 

2012- This past year I have learned that life does go on, and when you least expect it dreams do come true. Mike has taught me to never give up hope and always hope for the best. This past year has definitely been the greatest. Both with the happiest of times, and the saddest but it's him who has stood by my side on both ends. 

2012

I have no idea where this life will lead us but I hope to learn a million more lessons and make a million more memories! Here's to 100 more years! I love you handsome!!!