Wedded Bliss

Today we celebrate 16 years of marriage. It’s our sweet sixteen anniversary! And it really has been sweet. And sometimes, not so sweet. And then sweet again.

I loved my wedding day. While I am an anxious worrywart by nature, I actually managed to relax and truly enjoy our special day. I felt that it was the peak of our existence and that nothing could possibly top the joy and happiness that we experienced that blessed day.

But guess what? It gets even better. We were young and in love when we married, and now we’re not as young and we love. We have learned (and are still learning) to love each other in a way that transcends warm, fuzzy feelings. Because while the happy feelings haven’t always been there, I have always known that I was cherished and cared for.

Sixteen years isn’t very long but it’s long enough to have experienced the upside and downside of our marital vows: for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health. The way I love my husband now is so different from how I loved him on our wedding day: it has flourished in the joys and the struggles of daily life. I hope and pray that we will continue to grow this precious love for many, many years more.

I’ve been told by a reliable source that the reason my marriage works is because of my husband. This person (who shall remain nameless but might be my sister) may be on to something. My hubby is kind, patient, generous, selfless, and easy to get along with. He is driven by a desire to do what’s right, and leads our family towards the light. He’s a fantastic listener, and his advice is golden. He is always up for whatever crazy scheme I come up with, but he is always empathetic if said scheme falls flat on my face.

He loves our babies, and has always been excited at the thought of having one more. He’s a dedicated father who is a pro at spending quality and quantity time with our kids, and disciplines them with the right amount of firmness and affection.

A quiet guy, I’m constantly impressed by the amount of work he gets done in any given day. He’s crazy smart in a way that keeps me constantly stumped (in a good way). A gentle soul, he has taught me to speak in a kind tone (still working on it), to open our home to others, and to always give people the benefit of the doubt. While I’m the cradle Catholic and he’s the convert, he has taught me, with his daily example, how to actually act like a Christian.

He always puts me first. He always takes time to listen to my dreams and my worries, and fully supports all my ventures. He makes life at home pleasant and wholesome. So maybe the secret to a happy marriage is to marry my guy. But since I won that lottery, for all you single gals out there, make sure you find a guy who shows you that he loves you by his capacity for sacrifice. And make sure you really like him too.

Happy 16 years to my beloved. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: I love growing old with you.