Twelve years ago today, I married a man that I loved very much.
At 24, I had barely gotten started on adulthood, but I pledged my love and devotion to a man who always found a way to bring a smile to my face.
We had spent the last two years falling in love, figuring out how to compromise, and dreaming a lot about our future.
Then on July 15, 2006, we took the first step towards making that future happen.
Along the way, I’ve learned many things my naive perspective couldn’t begin to comprehend on that day that it all started. Things that only time and experience can really, truly teach a person. But you should probably know that I’m no longer married to that same guy I fell in love with.
Instead, I’m married to someone who has grown with me through the darkest days of my life.
Who has stayed my constant friend when many people have exited.
I’m married to a man who has proved to me that he will always strive to do what is right, even when others let him down.
Who loves his family, always has and always will fight for his family, and teaches our children what that means.
I’m married to a man who is humble enough to work hard doing jobs few people are willing to do without expecting recognition.
Who can speak wise words with clarity when the world screams of chaos.
I’m married to a man who reminds me how important it is to take time to play, to laugh along with kids, and to do it all while bringing order.
Honestly, neither of us are much like the young and in-love couple we were a dozen years in the past because time changes life; losses and gains bring about new roles; and things that used to matter are no longer relevant to things that are priorities now.
God’s love for us has been the only constant that has continued to draw us together to take on each challenge that has shaped us, grown us, and kept us determined to be true to our commitment to each other. We are no longer the same, but we are better because we’ve been together. I grow every time I take time to learn from how he lives.
He never could have really known as my groom that he’d go through as much as he would, but he didn’t hold back from choosing a girl, who is now much different herself, to take the wild ride called life together. For better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death us do part.