Today feels different.
Technically, it's just another Friday in the endless rotation of Fridays that have gone on and will go on indefinitely. Technically, it's just another day in August, one of thirty-one. Technically, it's just another day to go to work, do what needs to be done.
It's really not just another day, for me.
Eleven years ago today I woke up in another city, in another state. It was scorchingly hot outside. I was excited and a little nervous. I put on that cute dress and had my friend N fix my hair. I slapped some pretty on my face and emerged from the hotel room ready to do this thing we had set in motion months back.
I really didn't know what I was getting myself into at the time (does anyone, really?), but I'd be damned if I was backing down now. I believe in follow through, if nothing else.
You looked so good- tan, dark, tall, lean and handsome. You can tell in the cheesy video that we were giggling a fair amount of the time. When the minister started getting all preachy you can actually see me roll my eyes. Really, we didn't care about the ceremony so much- it didn't matter, in the long run.
You can see how absolutely happy we are in the video. When you couldn't get the ring on my finger at first we started giggling even more.
Some of our friends cried, some of our family cried (though I'm pretty sure our family was crying because they thought we were making a huge mistake). I almost cried. I'm not entirely unconvinced that maybe even we thought we were making a huge mistake. All I know is we were willing to make a go of it. We'd do our best and just see what unfolded.
We really didn't have any idea then- this thing we created. We had no convoluted, grandiose and well-diagrammed plans.
This together thing. This partnership thing. This vague thing. This bigger than us thing.
This amazing thing.
Have we done our best?
Not always.
I expect so much of life, I often spin near the edge, hoping I don't fall off, but prepared to deal with what happens if I do. Early on, I wanted you to be more like me, I wanted you to be less like you. I wanted two of me.
I didn't realize that you being solid, steady, thoughtful of your actions- that was what I need.
You help me fix the things I sometimes think are beyond repair. You listen more than I give you credit for. You don't lie.
You were patient and beyond understanding at a time where we thought that our thing had maybe- possibly- run its course.
When I tried to convince myself it had, you waited for me to convince myself otherwise.
Had you not been the person you are, had you not asserted yourself, had you not waited, patiently, when waiting patiently completely ate you up inside...
Had you not. We would not.
I'm grateful every day for who you are, who we are, and where we've been.
We are lucky to have what we have- we are fortunate to be at this point.
We make a good pair, you and I.
I wouldn't want it any other way.
Happy Anniversary, Mr. Whiskeymarie.
Technically, it's just another Friday in the endless rotation of Fridays that have gone on and will go on indefinitely. Technically, it's just another day in August, one of thirty-one. Technically, it's just another day to go to work, do what needs to be done.
It's really not just another day, for me.
Eleven years ago today I woke up in another city, in another state. It was scorchingly hot outside. I was excited and a little nervous. I put on that cute dress and had my friend N fix my hair. I slapped some pretty on my face and emerged from the hotel room ready to do this thing we had set in motion months back.
I really didn't know what I was getting myself into at the time (does anyone, really?), but I'd be damned if I was backing down now. I believe in follow through, if nothing else.
You looked so good- tan, dark, tall, lean and handsome. You can tell in the cheesy video that we were giggling a fair amount of the time. When the minister started getting all preachy you can actually see me roll my eyes. Really, we didn't care about the ceremony so much- it didn't matter, in the long run.
You can see how absolutely happy we are in the video. When you couldn't get the ring on my finger at first we started giggling even more.
Some of our friends cried, some of our family cried (though I'm pretty sure our family was crying because they thought we were making a huge mistake). I almost cried. I'm not entirely unconvinced that maybe even we thought we were making a huge mistake. All I know is we were willing to make a go of it. We'd do our best and just see what unfolded.
We really didn't have any idea then- this thing we created. We had no convoluted, grandiose and well-diagrammed plans.
This together thing. This partnership thing. This vague thing. This bigger than us thing.
This amazing thing.
Have we done our best?
Not always.
I expect so much of life, I often spin near the edge, hoping I don't fall off, but prepared to deal with what happens if I do. Early on, I wanted you to be more like me, I wanted you to be less like you. I wanted two of me.
I didn't realize that you being solid, steady, thoughtful of your actions- that was what I need.
You help me fix the things I sometimes think are beyond repair. You listen more than I give you credit for. You don't lie.
You were patient and beyond understanding at a time where we thought that our thing had maybe- possibly- run its course.
When I tried to convince myself it had, you waited for me to convince myself otherwise.
Had you not been the person you are, had you not asserted yourself, had you not waited, patiently, when waiting patiently completely ate you up inside...
Had you not. We would not.
I'm grateful every day for who you are, who we are, and where we've been.
We are lucky to have what we have- we are fortunate to be at this point.
We make a good pair, you and I.
I wouldn't want it any other way.
Happy Anniversary, Mr. Whiskeymarie.
