So, as I mentioned briefly in my previous post, Ryan and I decided not to get each other anniversary gifts this year, and instead to buy a new coffee and end table for our home. I've been wanting to pick out and buy my very own, brand new, coffee table FOREVER. But I just got to thinking, so far, we've bought each other something in the spirit of the traditional anniversary gifts (1st Year-Paper, 2nd Year-Cotton), and what a bummer if we skipped that this year, right? WRONG! Why? Because the traditional gift for the 3rd anniversary is leather, something I will no longer purchase. I guess that worked itself out just fine!

Well, my little hissy fit has passed.

After I hung up yesterday, he was all "WTF was that all about?", looked at calendar, realized Wednesday was June 7th, felt like a complete ass, called the guys to let them know we wouldn't be at rehearsal this week, and called me back all apologetic-like.

I know that "most men" forget such things, but my husband is not "most men". He remembers not only my birthday, but his dad's, sister's, best friends', my mom's, my sister's, his grandpa's, and his mom's and brother's birth and death dates. We've discussed our upcoming anniversary and agreed that, instead of buying each other gifts, we would buy a new coffee table and end table together. Even so, my reaction was a bit on bitchy side, I'll admit.

I haven't posted about this, but we've been having some....."issues" in our marriage recently. Not like, petty arguing for the past couple days, but like, a month and a half worth of bickering, questioning our future together, lack of physical and emotional intimacy, etc. It hasn't been very much fun for either one of us. I haven't posted about it, for a couple of reasons. One, I don't like to be a big downer. Two, I don't want people focusing thoughts and/or energy on negative goings on in my life. Three, well...I'm feeling confused and directionless, and wouldn't even know where to begin to get into specifics, though I may attempt it at some point in the (possibly near, possibly not) future.

The good thing is, we both continue to be commited to our marriage and to working out our problems. As we approach another anniversary, I look back over the history of our relationship. When it comes to "for better or worse", we've certainly had much more "better" than we've had "worse". For that, I am thankful.

Joella: You're not rehearsing on Wednesday, are you?
Ryan: Yeah, we are.
Joella: Oh.
Ryan: Why, what's Wednesday?
Joella: *hangs up*


What's Wednesday? It's our fucking Wedding Anniversary, that's what.

Well, our anniversary was lovely indeed. Ryan sent me flowers at work, which was quite shocking because he NEVER does that. (Always says I have enough flowers in the yard.) They are beautiful. Emily did a great job picking out and arranging them. I'm so lucky that my best friend works in a flower shop. Ryan can just call her and say, spend this much, and do something she'll like. :)

( And on to the evening )

Many of you have seen these already, but in light of the anniversary...

Wedding Pics

 

Some are huge. Sorry!

Two years ago today, I officially became Ryan's wife. (I say officially, because he was introducing and referring to me as his wife for at least a year before we were married.)

In these two years, there has been pain, sadness, and betrayal, but mostly, there has been joy, trust, understanding, growth, comfort, hard work, lots of fun, and above all, love. We've got the 'for better or for worse' thing down pat.

My views on what exactly a marriage partner is have evolved a bit, but one thing that holds true is that my husband is my partner for life. We are a team. We have chosen to take the journey of the rest of this life time together, no matter what comes our way. We will always love and support each other, we will always encourage each other to succeed at our dreams, we will always remain in close contact and close communication with each other.

June 7, 2003 has been the happiest and most important day of my life thus far. Since that day, there have been times when I've wondered if I made a mistake, but those times are much fewer and far between. I know now that when it comes to picking a partner for life, I did a pretty damn good job.

Ryan, my husband, my partner, my lover, the some day father of my child(ren), my best friend, my everything...I love you. As I sit here writing this, there is one thing I know. If I had it to do all over again. I would. In a heartbeat.