Three Years Later

Three years ago today I married my best friend and I have been thankful that I did every day since then. 

      

Photo Credit: Betony Coons

I remember the weeks leading up to our wedding I was quite literally a basket case. I swear all I did was cry and worry. Even the day of the rehearsal dinner was rife with emotion, errands and anxiety.  But the day of the wedding? The day of the wedding I was as cool as a cucumber. I woke up with a smile that never left my face. I attribute this in part to the fantastic group of women who surrounded me with positive and helpful spirit. Also to the many folks who helped behind the scenes to make everything go off without a hitch and to the many prayers that I know were being said for Rick and I. 

But even if none of that had been true or present, I think I still would have found comfort in the simple fact that at the end of the day, I was going to be married to this special guy. 

Rick Destree. The man who would hold my hair back when I had the stomach flu and hold my hand on days that I missed my mama so much I almost couldn't breathe. The man who would not only tolerate my love of all things cat, but would embrace it by getting two more kitties in addition to the one we already had. 

Oliver & Jango pictured. Rook would come later. 

The man who would challenge me to work towards artistic endeavors, even if no one noticed and who would become one of my favorite thrifting buddies. The man that would make me believe that not everyone leaves and that I am worth the time it takes to get to know me, emotional baggage and all. 

       Christmas Card Picture 2011              

    Photo credit: Luke & Mallory Leasure          

          

Now, let's get things straight. 

It's not always perfect and it's certainly not always easy. There are days when all we do is argue and grump. There are days when frankly, I'm not very lovable and I wonder why he sticks around at all. 

Someone once said, "A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person". I'd buy that. The reason that we stick through the rough times is because we choose to love one another and we keep choosing that love every single day. Plain and simple. Romance isn't always romantic and love doesn't always mean champagne and roses. 

Sometimes love means making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for someone even when you're more angry with them than you've ever been, simply because you know they're hungry. Maybe even hangry. Sometimes love means taking out the kitty litter, even when you've done it the last 10 times and it's definitely the other persons turn (Thanks, baby!) Sometimes love is putting on the silly hat because your spouse wants to have a silly hat birthday party. 

   "Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly." -Rose Franklin

I'm no expert. We've only been working at this for three years now. I suspect we'll learn more every day, because that's generally how knowledge works.

But as of today, I know that I love Rick Destree with all my heart. And that, my friends, is a magical thing.