Five years ago today I was anxiously getting ready to walk down the aisle and say "I do" to a man I fell head over heels for back in 2005. When he got on one knee and asked me to marry him on October 30th of 2006 I never knew how much my life would change in five short years.
We had a whirlwind engagement. I'm not sure if I have ever blogged about it before. If I have, excuse my baby brain and just read on and nod as if you have never heard it. For my sake ok? lol. Anyways, we were engaged the end of October of 2006 and got married Feb. 17th of the following year. Let's do the math... we had exactly 3 months and 18 days before we were saying "i do." That's exactly 110 days to plan an entire wedding where we had a guest list of 205 and ended up with 176 guests in attendance. I'm sure some of you are thinking we were crazy, and some of you were thinking I must have been knocked up. I was not pregnant and although we might have been a little crazy I love it because it is OUR story!
The true reason behind us getting married as quickly as we did was a very good friend of ours was going to be deploying to Iraq in March. We desperately wanted him to be part of our special day and didn't want to have a long engagement, so that left us only one option.. Get this wedding done! It actually came together smoother than most weddings I have heard about. It helps when you don't have time to really linger making certain decisions. I had some of the most amazing people helping me plan and my parents did wonders as well. Considering I was the first wedding out of us three sisters and I only gave my parents 3 months notice, I give them a ton of credit. If Addy even thinks of doing that to me... LOL... I suppose I will have to smile and take it on just my parents and John's parents did!
Anyways, all that to say it was an amazing day. Not perfect, but that's what makes it perfect later on in life. Looking back, sure I would have changed a few things, but the important thing is that I vowed to love my husband for the rest of my life that day.
I looked him in the eye, and in front of 176 guests and under God proclaimed my love for him.
Since then I have learned how much more the word "husband" really means. I remember calling him my husband during the whole reception and thinking it was the most amazing thing in the world! It was so fun to look over and say, "that's my husband..."
Now I know that "husband" actually means "blessing" because he has been one of the greatest gifts God has ever given to me.
I've watched us grow from 23 & 24 year old "kids" that just left the partying stage of our lives into best friends, parents, partners in this journey, striving to give our marriage and our lives to God each day. By no means are we perfect, or do we have the perfect marriage, but I know that we are perfect for each other and I cherish living each day of this imperfect life together with him.
We've held each other through the pain, and rejoiced together in the absolute blessings over the past five years.. I've learned that a man can be strong and also have an amazing heart for God. That is who my husband is.
And now as we celebrate our 5th anniversary, and I have now been pregnant for 3 out of the 5, I smile and know that the best is still yet to come..
Today I'm not getting dolled up and going out to a fancy dinner to celebrate. I'm actually sitting in my pjs with no make up on at 1 pm taking care of two sick babies and drinking a root beer to satisfy a little craving brought on by my bun in the oven...
I smile because this is life.
I never could have imagined being at this point 5 years ago and now I can't imagine it any other way.
We are going to spend a few nights away in March to celebrate our anniversary, but today, I'm more than content.
Thank you Lord for the incredible blessing you have given me in my husband.
And to my John, I love you more than these words can express.
Happy Anniversary love.. ♥
