Tonight, eight years ago, I married my best friend. Yeah, it's a total cliche statement, but it's a true one. My husband gives me unconditional love. I guess that for some reason or another, I always felt like I had to prove myself or be perfect in order to receive love. In my mind, I could never be annoying, or wrong, or too loud, or too quiet, or too zitty, or a little scattered, or say anything incorrectly, or have a muffin top, etc if I were to be loved without question. I hold myself to a crazy, unattainable standard that is all in my brain - still - but, I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Jimmy doesn't hold me to these standards. He loves my quirks (he jokes on them freely), he loves me when I'm a heap of a mess, he loves me when I cook an awesome meal, he loves me when it's cereal for supper (again), he loves me when I forget to run an errand that I have promised to run, he praises me when I make an achievement, he takes me places that he's just not that into - simply bc he knows it makes me happy. He loves me when I'm being top-notch mommy, & he loves me on the days when I feel like if DHR walked through my house they would shut us down, he loves me when I spend too much money, he loves me when I save, he loves me when I cry - even when it's for a dumb reason - & he loves me when I am indecisive. He. Loves. Me. There is not a day that goes by that I do not pray to God & praise Him for this man. What did I do to deserve someone on this Earth to give me such unconditional love? It's amazing. He has loved me sick, he has loved me well. He has supported me through some uncertain times with the formerly ever present question 'what am I going to do with my life'?
So, for y'all who do not know, eight years ago today, Jimmy & I ended our long-distance relationship of five years - driving up & down 65 over & over again & made our household as one. We met through a mutual friend (my sorority sister/college roommate at Alabama, Sam) & it was pretty much something special from day 1. Our wedding was super, super fun. It was a church wedding with a dizzingly quick reception. It really lasted a couple of hours, but it felt like a whirlwind. The pictures make me smile really big to think about how awesome that day was. That was the first time in my life that I really felt beautiful. We danced to "At Last" by Etta James - appropriate for a couple who had been long-distance for 5 years. We then spent 8 marvelous days in Tahiti. Trip of a lifetime. One day I'll post pics, really, - if my wonderful husband will ever dust off the scanner :)
Our lives have taken many changes over the years. My husband is a perpetual mover & changer. I am notoriously routine & resist change to the nth degree. Interesting match, huh? We have lived in 6 different houses since we married (arrrgh)& we have had several setbacks, such as job-layoffs & my career debauchles...but, we have made a wonderful family, have a big 'ole doggy, taken numerous fun world-traveling trips and committed our lives to God. That, to me, is success.
Eight years have flown. How I pray for many, many, many more! I love you, J :) I sure do wish that we were leaving tonight to go on another Tahiti trip! Maybe on our 10th!
This is so precious, Amy! I hope Jimmy is just as amazed to have you.
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