June 24, 2006

Two years ago, Dave and I were married. I spent a lot of time today thinking about the past year. I spent time looking back at my blogging over the year to remember all that we've done together. Looking at the photos of our camping trip last August. Looking at the photos from time spent with our families. Looking at the photos of when Cooper Joe joined our family. Thinking about all the joys and all the struggles we've gone through. So much can happen in a year, and I am really proud of how much our relationship has grown in the last year. Gone are the days of being newlyweds. We've both had lots of learning experiences of what marriage is in real life. Me learning it's no longer just about me. And Dave learning it's no longer just about him. It's about us. Our marriage. And today, I am incredibly happy. I feel so blessed to have Dave as my husband and my friend.

Tonight, we also spent time watching the video Stevie made of our wedding. I teared up more listening to Pastor Terry give her sermon on our marathon marriage than I did on our actual wedding. It just seems more relevant now as we've had a good start on the journey of our marriage. I teared up more listening to Mark and Jody sing and listening to the toasts from my dad, from Pappy, from Krissy and Mike and Rachel. Seeing the smiles (and tears) on our parents' and our sisters' faces. Again I felt blessed. This time because I was realizing how truly fortunate we were to have so many of our friends and family with us. Parents. Grandma Louise. Sisters. Aunts. Uncles. Nieces and Nephews. Cousins. Friends. Our grandparents and others who were there in spirit. Katie made it all the way from North Carolina with her broken bones. We had the best and cutest ring boy and flower girls. Great Aunt Ginny was there. And Hazel was there and looking healthy. We all had a great time dancing and celebrating. Dancing with Dave. And my Dad. And dancing in circles with Gavin. Emily asking me why Dave was putting his head up my dress as he was grabbing the garter. Our wedding was absolutely perfect....well, except for the DJ being a jerk (minor issue). But it would not have been complete if our family and friends were not there witnessing our vows and promising to support us throughout our marriage.

On me and Dave's wedding anniversary, I am not only grateful for our marriage, but I am grateful for all our family and friends that are part of our lives (including everyone I didn't specifically mention). Thank you for being part of our wedding day, thanks for being part of our first two years of marriage, and thanks for being part of the days yet to come.