Hey, Chris. Happy Anniversary.

"Oh, you're engaged.  How exciting."

Then, in the next breath...  The heavy stuff.

"So.  Are you on the same page about finances?  Never, ever say anything bad about your spouse to their family.  Ever.  Take time for you as a couple.  No matter how many good friends you have, or how much your family grows.  Take time for the two of you."

Clifford and JoRetta.  Unbelievable couple.

Unbelievable.


We went to them as soon as we were engaged to tell then our happy news.  They were so excited for us.  They shared in our joy with their whole hearts.  They were also very practical.

Chris and I have thought about the advice they gave us many, many times.

Apples of gold.  Pictures of silver.

The thing that has stayed with us maybe the most, and brought us the most joy...

They told us to not believe all that nonsense everyone says about our first year of marriage.  That is is so hard, such an adjustment, so much work...  It doesn't have to be.  It can be wonderful.

And it has been.

Eight years of hanging out with my best friend.

Eight years of laughs, hugs, inside jokes.

Eight years of bursting into song.

Eight Christmas mornings together.

Eight New Years Eve kisses.

Our family has grown a bit since we said "I do" eight years ago today.  Things around here can get a little hectic.  Messy.  Loud.  Buried in laundry.

But.

But.

It started with just us.


Today is a great day to remember how we started.

Us.


Happy Anniversary, Love of my life.