Five Years

Five years.

Today my husband and I celebrate five years of marriage. The other day we were talking about how five years of marriage seems like such a big number, such a milestone. There’s something a bit more substantial to it, saying you’ve been married for five years. I would say it’s gone by in a flash, but the truth is, it hasn’t. I’ve enjoyed every single one of these five years.

Like the first year where we were learning to live with one another and all our quirky habits. Where we adopted the rule of I cook, he cleans (still in use and it’s awesome). The one where we learned to grow in our marriage, to work through tough situations and adapt to each other’s families. The very end of the first year, where we coped with loss. I won’t ever forget it.

Then came the second year, the year Abbie arrived. We found out I was pregnant with her only a few months into it, and our year was a whirlwind of pregnancy until her birth. In year two, we went from Jess and Chris to Mom and Dad. That year, my husband did all the things I couldn’t – pick up things off the floor when I could no longer bend, scooped the cat litter, told me I was beautiful even as I gained weight. He worked seamlessly with my mom to help me when Abbie was born. He supported me in every parenting decision and was just so proud to be a dad. We celebrated our second anniversary at home, with our infant daughter in our arms.

Year three was more and more of Abbie. We discovered what it was like to be parents first, and ourselves second. We moved, Chris went through job changes, and we figured out how to be parents (truth be told, we’re still figuring that out). Abbie was our center, growing quickly and embodying the best of both of us. She challenged us every day and we had to work as a team in every aspect.

In year four, we had even more changes. We purchased our first home and started to make it our own. My in-laws retired and came home for good (they had been overseas), and we adapted to balancing both our families in the same state for the first time. I started to really work on this little space of mine and find myself in writing. We dealt with all the hiccups that come with a first home, Abbie growing into a toddler, and more.

This past year, though, has been my favorite. With Abbie getting older, we were finally able to get some time to focus on each other again. I think we each tried to do all the little things we could to help each other out. Chris changed jobs again, and is the happiest I’ve seen him, work-wise. We earned new titles this year – Aunt and Uncle – when our niece Amelia was born earlier this month. It’s truly been the best year yet.

Today, we enter year six. I have hopes and dreams for this year, but mostly I want to enjoy it with my husband. I want to enjoy our little family and our extended families. I want to laugh hysterically, cry tears of joy, and love fiercely. I want to grow in our marriage and as individuals – that’s something we’ve always done and something I want to continue.

So to my husband – happy anniversary, babe. I love you and I’m so thankful to call you mine.