we are 9!

It's one of my favorite days of the year again!!! It's our anniversary!!! I love to think back on that day a lot. I remember as I was walking down the aisle with my Dad, I was making a conscious effort and a promise to myself to never, ever, ever, forget the feeling that I had right then and there. Though nine years have passed and life has definitely happened - I haven't forgotten. I will not forget. I vividly remember the smell of stargazer lillies all around us, the glow of the church's sanctuary with candles, the smiles on the faces of my friends and family as I noticed them through the cloud of a white veil. Most of all, I remember my groom. He was smiling from ear to ear. He was focused on me and nothing else. I remember the way that we rubbed each other's hands at the altar as we listened to Bro. Joel speak beautiful words sealing this marriage between us and Christ. Life has happened, certainly. I can remember Jimmy rubbing my hands like that only a few times since that special day - when I miscarried our first child, before my c-section when W was born, when I was readmitted to the hospital with complications after my c-section, when we joined our church and Jimmy was baptized, and finally when he became a Deacon. Special times. Critical times. Times that bind us together even closer through this thing called life. I love that we have an unspoken language with a special touch. It's a beautiful gift.

Gosh...I thought to myself, 'self, let's keep this blog post light today'. Ha. Whatev. I can turn on a dime - it's a talent of mine ;) So...let's get light! I totally wanted to have a guest blogger for the day (Jimmy) but he denied me. Must be his spelling ability! Just kidding....sorta. I feel like since we're turning 9 today, we can offer some marital tips. You know, to keep the bliss alive. So, here goes:

1. Jimmy has a philosophy that everything that is wrong with the world is because people only think about themselves. Ponder it for a moment - every situation - it's actually pretty true and a dang good philosophy. So, always consider the other person when making any decision or doing anything. Marriage is a triangle - you, your partner, & God. Everyone should be taken into consideration.

2. Hobbies are a must and time alone isn't bad. Jimmy hunts and pretends to play golf. I run and paint. Gotta be sane alone if you're gonna be sane with one another. Hobbies help with sanity.

3. Laugh every single day. Whatever your humor may be - dry, witty, immature (yeah, we think poots are a hoot), nerdy humor - just do it! Laughing together bonds you!

4. Talk about your dreams. I know it's silly, but we pose "what if" questions to each other all the time. "What if we won powerball?" "What if both houses sold on the same day?" "Where will we go for our 10 year anniversary?"

5. Keep God first - try to figure out with you, your partner & God if you are following where He wants you to go. Go there! Support each other. Read through the Bible together. Analyze scripture together.

6. Play games! I think I've blogged about the "who knows the most songs in the car" game. Play restaurant survivor (ooh...you know you wanna know about that one), play uno, anything. Playful is good!

7. Pick your battles. Grr. When we first got married, I used to get so stinkin' mad about the Sun Drop half drank cans all over the house, or the trash that would make it to the countertop right above where the garbage can is - seriously dude, just open the cabinet and drop it in. Gosh. I complained and ranted about it, but all I got was my mistakes thrown up at me, too. So...pick your battles. Some things don't change. He has ADD, okay. He's not trying to be a jerk, he just doesn't think about his half drank cans - he sees a butterfly and is off to the next topic. Not gonna make a good thing bad by complaining relentlessly. Just fix it. No one is perfect.

8. Date nights. Dorky, huh? I didn't realize the importance until we had a kid! It's of utmost importance. The kids are gonna move out one day - yeah, they are - you gotta make sure you still know each other :) Waffle house and krispy kreme, anyone? Ha ha!

9. Do more for the other person than you expect to get in return - that was from Jimmy ;) Woo hoo!

10. Another one from Jimmy: when your husband says "I don't care" about something, he really doesn't care. Dudes aren't like women who say "I don't care", which can mean "I do care, but it's up to you to figure it out". It doesn't mean that there is something wrong with him. It took me a year to figure this one out! Jimmy kept telling me that he didn't care about a certain topic and finally, after wondering why he didn't care or thinking that he was not telling me the truth, it hit me like a ton of bricks - he really didn't care!!!

We certainly don't have it all figured out - but we have fun together and try to make this life the best it can be :)