Make My Life...

Seven years ago today I married my best friend with 250 of our closest friends watching.  It sounds pretty cliche to say I married my "best friend", but I did.  It all started 10 years ago with a "wink" on none other than match.com.  (we were on it before it was cool :)  I look back at those emails now and I have to giggle at how lame we were.  Did I really try to describe myself as athletic?!?  But those emails show a very honest portrait of how we were and still are.  We dated-at the end of our first official date he asked me, "Can I see you again tomorrow?" Later we broke up-and even though that month was long-he called me every day to "check on me".  Obviously we got back together-and have been together ever since.   I think about the last 7 years and I'm amazed at all we've been through.  Our love is most importantly, NOT perfect, but I think somehow we are perfect for each other.  We fit perfectly together.  What I lack, he makes up for and what he lacks I make up for.  We've always been excellent communicators who could talk our way through anything and that's probably the biggest strong point of our marriage.  So on this seven year mark, I'm reflecting on us. 

We've bought 3 cars, sold 2 houses, bought 2 houses and in fact, he's even managed to improve my not so great credit score.  We've spent our falls driving to Raleigh for football and our summers on the lake.  He saw me graduate graduate school (constantly telling me that he married me because I was a "difference maker") and helped me study for my licensure exams (both of them).  I love his vintage 1995 (completely covered in holes and almost see through) wolfpack football sweatshirt that he wears nearly every day or the fact that we all know he "can't sleep".  He's held my hand each time we welcomed one of our little girls into this world in those cold operating rooms and he held my hand when we said goodbye to my dad one final time, even telling my father, "I told you when I asked for her hand that I would take care of her, and I will continue to do that".  He's given up so much to provide for us and continues to try and give us the best that he can offer.  We've had knock down, drag out fights, and even gone to bed angry (because despite what the "experts" say, sometimes it really is better than trying to talk).  I know that I'm lucky to have found a man who was willing to take 5 weeks off for the birth of our second child-even though I'm quite certain most of that was so he could have a vacation from work.  I've even had to yank him off a bar stool by the ear one time, but I won't really go into that. I'm thankful that we found a church and I've seen him become a more godly focused man.  I love his willingness to still plan surprise dates, even if it almost always involves a coupon.  He's taught me the importance of saving money rather than spending every last dime.  I love the way he plays with our girls or how he tries to not cry when reading something sentimental.  Or the fact that despite his desire to have a little boy to coach football for, he ended up with two girls who he lets paint his nails and put makeup on him. 

Seven years ago I stood and took vows that both of us have meant every single day.  I'm thankful for a man who wept (but don't tell him I told you) during those vows because he meant every single word whole heartedly.

 We have seen our fair share of plenty and want-especially when we had to sacrifice so much to pay for SK's $100/3 days formula to help her grow.  And sickness and health-when we've been bedridden with bronchitis, dealt with significant food allergies in our girls, or struggled with other unspoken illnesses.  For better or for worse-did I mention the grumpiness nearly every morning because he "can't sleep?"  Or when he didn't get the promotion he was promised and he lost hope.  But 7 years later, I never knew that I would in fact love him more now than ever.  I love him for the man he has become and the man he will continue to be.  I am thankful to have my best friend by my side every day to share the happy and not so perfect moments with.  The man who can complete my sentence or can still give me butterflies when he puts his hand in the small of my back.  Our song 7 years ago is a little known Oak Ridge Boys song titled, "Make my Life with You" and I am still so grateful to "make my life with you".