12 years...

Today is our anniversary. Twelve years ago on this day we were thrilled it was a beautiful sunny day, I felt like a princess, and thought he looked like the most handsome man in the world. We were surrounded with people we loved, and we started on this uncharted territory called marriage feeling very confident (and my literary audience chuckles...don't worry I am too). Oh, we were so young and foolish and so in love. We had a beautiful wedding and a beautiful day.

Twelve years has brought us beautiful babies, exotic vacations, addictions, diets, births and deaths of family members, houses bought and sold, surrounded with friends, having no friends, financial freedoms and financial devastation, the accumulation of stuff, garage sales, hospital stays, 2 separations, heartache and tears, marriage conferences, marriage counseling, precious moments I would hope to never forget and our lowest, moment most devastating ugly moments I wish I could erase from my mind.

This is where you find us twelve years later...STILL TOGETHER! It is by the grace of God, it is amazing, it is a miracle, it was so hard, it was everything we said we wanted and promised each other we would do twelve years ago on this day. We didn't have a clue!

Erik, it is easy for me to say with all conviction...you are the love of my life. I would go to the ends of the world (and feel like we have) to find us here. I'm so thankful because I absolutely know you would too. I'm so glad we didn't "quit" each other. Happy Anniversary, Love.

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. - Mignon Mclaughlin