Eight Years in...

and the adventure is just beginning.

It's so strange to think about when you + me became us.

Isn't it?

Was it that day we held hands in the rain, I in your white jacket, over which they all oohed and awwed, under the umbrellas and storm clouds? When we loved so deeply and promised so much -- so much that we didn't quite yet understand? For better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and health...Would we have believed the story if someone had told us, feeling more worse than better (at times), definitely more poor than rich, and I do believe barrenness is a type of sickness, eating away at our joy for a season or two? We were babies still. When we vowed and said I do and kissed and they clapped and I thought This is it.Was that the moment?  


Was it that day we moved what little we owned to a place we'd never been, alone in a big town, far from family and friends? Was it the day we did this very same thing again, years later? We were still new at this married thing. Fighting and struggling and trying to figure it all out. How to live with someone so weird and strange and why does he have to be like that, why does she have to do things that way? And we gave silent treatment in this strange city until one of us broke down: "Will you play a game with me? Because...I've got nothing else to do and you're my only friend here. Please?" And we smiled and laughed and played and remember laying awake knowing, just knowing, how wonderful it was that my best friend lay breathing deeply next to me.

Was it that day we walked giddy to the garage sales, determined to find perfect baby clothes for the little one who was sure to come next spring? The beaming smiles and quiet happy whispers were endless that day! And we folded all of our treasures and left them out. Why bother putting them away? We'll need them soon enough. And we got on with the baby making...

Was it that day I cried, sobbed and for once didn't care that you saw my face all undone by hot tears and snot? My body heaved and I could not breathe, and I hated everything and everyone but you. And you put your hand on my back, afraid to rub too hard, afraid to move, to make the wrong move. I could see it, that fear. A girl is crying and what do I do? And it changed, My girl is crying. I know what to do. And you gathered me up, all messy and snotty and held me tight. And we rocked and made a nest on the bed, protected from everything...out there. Just you + me. How grateful I was, am, to know we're in this together.

Was it that day you stood with me, then for me? She asked all those questions, that well-meaning woman at church, about family and kids and I couldn't find my words, I struggled and looked to the floor. I fell apart. And you, you grabbed my hand tight, and the other on my side. You answered the questions, boldly. Then you swept me away. Away from lingering eyes and questions and strangers who might wonder why a young woman is crying on such a beautiful Sunday morning. And I, leaned into you. All the way to the car and you drove down that quiet road, slow, so I could breathe. You saved me. My rescuer. With all the right words. With all the right moves. And how do you know me so well? How do you know when my heart is breaking? Can you hear it now?


Was it that day we laughed and laughed until our sides hurt in our new apartment, bills piling up in the mailbox and we had no idea what we were doing? Grad school drop outs and barely enough food for another day. And we hid in our new home. On our new bed. And splurged on popsicles. Laughing and crazy in love, you + me against it all. Mine dripping all over and you looked at me and said, I'll never forget it, Even if we are living on the street, we'll still have each other. And you're enough for me. And for the first time in weeks I didn't think about the bills or the rent or the gas money or what we were going to eat. I just laughed. And look, we're still here. And there is food and the bills got paid and I wonder what would have happened to us had we not stopped to just...be.

Was it that day everything got quiet, dishes clanking as dinner was made and you fixing something loud and metal in the living room and I said, What about adoption? and the world stopped moving? And I was so scared because, what if you weren't ready? And you looked at me and grinned all boyish and wide, Well, what are we waiting for? And I forgot about dinner and you forgot about whatever it was...

And we dreamed dreams we thought we'd lost forever. And this is happening now. {Psst...can you believe we have an adoption blog? Who would have guessed?! It's so unreal!}

Was it that day we sat in the restaurant and realized together, at the exact same moment, that our babies might be walking around right now? Both wonderfully amazing and heartbreaking. They are beautiful and perfect and ours, yet what happens to them to make them ours? Neglect? Abuse? A mother making the most difficult, selfless decision? And I cry every time I think about it. Our babies could be breathing and talking and walking and singing...and hurt and forgotten, and we said together, O God, protect them. And we became parents.

Was it that day you drove me to the middle of nowhere? You said you could fix my broken down car, and you tried. You really did. And I was trying to think of how I would pay to fix it. Worry all over my face. And you reached over and smeared engine grease all over my face. I could not believe it! Who did you think you were? So I got you back. And you called a tow truck and bought me a Dr. Pepper in that run down gas station. And you took me to dinner. And a movie. And later told me you loved me. And I said, WAIT. And you didn't stop telling me. You wouldn't stop. Even when I ran away. Literally, ran away. And I followed more than my heart, leaped by faith, and grabbed your hand for the adventure of a lifetime.

And I look around at our simple life. Nothing fancy. Nothing flashy. Could this really be an adventure? Yes. Yes it is.

And I wouldn't change any of it, {you hear me?}, ANY OF IT, for the world.

It's a simple life and it's ours. I love it. I love you. My strong supporter, family leader, hard worker, handsome stud muffin. The good man. MY good man. Where would I be without you?

And I am beyond grateful, J O Y F U L to celebrate our simple, little life of adventure together, hanging on for the wild ride that God brings us everyday.

Forever & Always, No matter what.

Happy Anniversary, My Love. 

Grow old along with me...the best is yet to be.

Shots of us were taken by a wonderful friend, Jill at True Story by Jill. Isn't she amazing?