3 Years...

On this day 3 years ago, I married my best friend in the entire world.  I thought that was going to be the best day of my life, but I was wrong.  Things just keep getting better, every single day.  The longer I'm married to Michael, the more I learn about him and the more I fall in love with him.  He makes me want to be a better person.  In the last 3 years I have begun my teaching career, Michael was at my side cheering me on.  While those first couple of years of teaching were rough, marriage was always so easy.  I knew I always had a partner and a friend on my side, loving me no matter what the ups and downs of my job held.  In the last 3 years Michael has graduated from college.  After dedicating so much of his time to that goal for 5 years, Michael graduated from the college of engineering at K-State!  That meant a lot of late nights studying, a lot of long hours on projects, and a little more time on campus than I would have liked at home, but we made it through.  While some of the classes and time away from each other may have been difficult, marriage was always easy.  I always knew at the end of the day, no matter how tired he was from studying or how early he needed to get up to get to class or begin studying again, that my amazing husband was coming to be with me each and every night.  So while some people say the marriage is hard when you're still in school, I think that only depends on you.  For us, marriage has never been a difficult task.  In the last 3 years I have had my gallbladder removed.  That was a physically painful experience and a financially rough time, but marriage was never difficult.  I had a caregiver who loved me more than anyone, who did his best to make sure I was safe and healthy and comfortable.  The money was never the issue, the importance always remained making me better.  Later, the money was a tough pill to swallow, we certainly learned what good insurance and bad insurance looked like.  But as always, we found a way to make it through, and our marriage strengthened because we were able to grow together in the tough times as well.  Money was hard, but marriage was easy.  In the last 3 years we have had 3 puppies and lost 1.  Definitely one of the saddest times in our marriage, but we clung together and were solid when the other one needed us.  When one of us was falling apart, the other one kept it together.  And 30 minutes later when the roles reversed, the other was able to find the strength to comfort.  Now we have 2 sweet and beautiful puppies who bring a little frustration, but mostly a whole lot of love and happiness to our lives.  We care for our girls together and love our happy little family.  Sometimes the dogs are frustrating, but marriage is always easy.  In the last 3 years we got pregnant.  We are now in the beautiful process of making a baby.  It absolutely blows my mind that there is a tiny person inside of me, who is the perfect blend of Michael and I.  And while our lives have changed somewhat since learning the news, that is nothing like the changes that will occur in October when our little one make it's appearance.  I know for some people, children put stress on a relationship.  Sharing the work and responsibilities can be daunting.  But if history has taught me anything, it's that Michael and I can make it through anything, and the worst trials bring is closer together and make our marriage stronger.  Now, having a baby is certainly not the worst trial, but I believe that the patience and perseverience required of each of us during this time will only bring us closer and make our marriage even stronger.  We have walked through the fire together and come our shining on the otherside.  Our marriage is amazing, it gets better every day.  I cannot wait to see what it looks like in another 3 years.  :)  I love you, Michael.  Happy Anniversary, my love.  :)