This week we celebrate his 28th birthday.
We've been together just shy of a decade and we've never been apart for his birthday before. Considering we've spent 6 of those 8 years in Active Duty military, we've been very lucky.
We've been lucky in many ways, really. Starting with how we met. I wouldn't say it was love at first sight. (I think that is reserved for when parents meet their children). But after that first kiss, I knew I would marry that man and be happy for the rest of my life. Hell, we had our wedding date picked out two months into our relationship. Definitely not your typical scenario. When you know, you know.
We've been lucky in that we started our life out well financially. This is mostly because of our decision to wait until after graduation to get married. But also because we took a financial class as part of our premarital counseling (which I highly recommend both!). We were both fortunate enough to start life out without much debt. We had to pay off Josh's car and my wedding ring but that was it. Josh's college had been paid through scholarships and the Air Force, and my parents worked hard to pay my college tuition. Some people tend to frown on me for that. But my parents truly wouldn't have had it any other way, believe me, I tried! Not to say I didn't work hard (3 part time jobs on top of 15hrs of classes). It was just a goal in their life to get in a position to help my sisters and me out in that area. And it definitely wasn't taken for granted by me.
Speaking of, we've been lucky that we both have incredibly amazing, supportive families. Both sets of our parents have similar values and not only get along, but really enjoy spending time together. Can't ask for much more than that! Anytime we've needed help moving, needed a place to stay, or needed them to stay with us, they've never hesitated to help out. Especially now, when we need it most!
But I think the luck we had in finding each other is what makes everything else seem to fall into place. We work so well together and over the years have even learned to resolve conflict constructively. We know each other very well after 8 years and that, coupled with our chemistry, has made for a lasting and exciting marriage. I'm constantly amazed at how smoothly things go between us, even when bad circumstances put us in a potentially damaging situation. We find a way to hold on to one another and get out together, stronger.
For these reasons and so many others, we are lucky. Blessed. Whatever you want to call it. I'm thankful everyday for what we have together, to build our family with.
Next year we will celebrate his birthday together. As a family. Starting new traditions all our own.
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