10 Years of Marriage
November 8th is our anniversary. This year we’re honored to be celebrating our tenth anniversary. It’s a big milestone to me because it’s when my parents seperated before later getting divorced. So yes, I making a big deal out of it because it is special to me.
My mind is all over the place this week. Both of our grandmothers are currently in the hospital. I’ve been dealing with an issue that arose from poor customer service that has consumed way too much of my time. The evilness of the time change has been causing my 4 year old to get up super early with no naps and going to bed later than normal. Today when I talked to my sister on the phone she told me that she could hear the stress in my voice.
Tonight because of the health situation of our grandmothers, we made the decision to cancel our getaway this weekend to celebrate our anniversary.
But you know what? It’s ok.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the past ten years is that the details do not matter. In the day to day operation of our family, these little things aren’t worth the worry. In six months I won’t remember the issue that has consumed too much of my time. We won’t remember the evilness of time change until it’s time to spring forward (groan). Hopefully both our grandmothers will be back at home soon and we’ll be able to take the girls to spend time with them to build those memories that Mr. Byrd and I both cherish.
What will matter is that I am getting to spend my life with my best friend. Growing up I never saw him coming. I was attracted to tall blonde skinny guys in high school. In my mind I thought surely I would marry a cowboy from my same area and that we would live in the middle of nowhere with more chickens, ducks, and goats than kids. Then I met this guy online who lived 6 hours away from me but his mom happened to work in my dr’s office. After many months we decided to meet for a blind date.
When I opened the door that night there stood a dark haired, very muscular, extremely handsome stout man wearing blue jeans and a gray shirt – my heart was sold. Even though he lived in one of the biggest cities in America and his apartment complex would have kicked us out immediately if I even said the word “live chicken” too loudly, I knew I would marry him.
We broke up a few short months later because we weren’t ready for marriage and a 6 hour drive wasn’t worth it if marriage wasn’t in the cards. But we stayed best friends. When he told me about girls he was interested in, I would turn green with envy. My friends encouraged me to date other people so that I could get over him. I gave it a good old college party age try but it didn’t work. No one could make me laugh like he did.
Apparently he felt the same way because on a trip to visit his parents 18 months after we broke up, he asked if he could kiss me. I told him no. But he didn’t give up and before he left my house that night we had agreed that if we were going to try again, it would be with the purpose of marriage. Three weeks later he proposed. 4 months later we were married and I gave up my dream of living in the middle of nowhere and moved to Houston, the middle of everything.
10 years later I do not remember the little things that stressed me out along the way. What I do remember is the times he was there to support me, love me, and make me want to be a better person. He’s the one that I know God created for me, the only one that will put up with my love of repurposing junk.
So yes, this week has been stressful but it’s also been wonderful. It’s a celebration full of giggling little girls sworn not to reveal what gift I did buy for him, a little extra time spent together for us and a time to prepare for the next ten years. In a few weeks when everything has settled down, we’ll sneak away without the kids for a weekend and we’ll get to celebrate our anniversary twice. This might actually work out better.
Until that time, we’ll just simply be together because that’s what we want to do. Just simply being together, as the people that we truthfully are, is what we’re beyond blessed to be able to do.
Happy Anniversary Mr. Byrd, thank you for giving me a last name that people can pronounce.
Lisa says
Congratulations on 10 yrs.Our 35th is Sunday.
Bobbie says
Congrats! That’s amazing!
Nicki Woo says
I’m complete and total mush now. Crying all over my keyboard. Oh man. So sweet. I’m so sorry that you guys are having a hard week, but see how clearly it lets you appreciate that value in the things you hold dear. May love reign supreme FOREVER in your home.
Happy Anniversary XOXO
Beth says
Happy Anniversary! Your post really touched my heart too. I just love your family picture up there.
I hope the grandmas are well soon and you can enjoy your weekend away.