A Seven Year Itch

Today is OUR day, the day that we share our love and celebrate our marriage. Three kids, three homes, five losses, Seven years later.

It’s kind of a big deal. We’ve reached the point of the “seven year itch” of urban legend. This is when we are supposed to become bored of each other, less happy and ready to move on, separately.

But, while this marks the seventh year of our marriage, later in the week will mark the twelve years we have been devoted to each other. In that twelve years, we’ve moved across the country and across the world (and back many times). We’ve bought three houses and rented many more. We’ve bought and sold cars and furniture and made a life we love together.

We’ve struggled through early parenting with the usual sleep deprivation and fussy babies in addition to unusual circumstances like a three day stay in the hospital with Honeybun, an inconsolable newborn Sugarplum, and extreme food sensitivities with Doodle. But we’ve also experienced first words, first smiles, first steps and more giggle fests to count.

We’ve made sacrifices for each other’s careers, hobbies and life-long goals. But we’ve always made those decisions together, respectfully, and out of love for each other. We have always held hands as we look to our future.

Is it easy? No. Am I happy all the time? Definitely not. Do I take way too much out on hubby? Unfortunately. Would I change it if i could? Maybe some things. Am I feeling the itch? Absolutely not!

In fact, I’ve felt the opposite over time. Rather than wanting to get away or move on, I have begun to wanting MORE time with hubby. I wait anxiously for him to get home each night not so I can get away from the kids but because I long for his company. I am eager for the time we have together and while it may not look like much (dinner with the kids, bed time then TV), that is why I love it–and him.

Our love is easy. It’s non-judging, non-hurtful, non-hateful and respectful. It is nothing and everything all at the same time.

I wouldn’t trade my life, my kids or my husband for anything in the entire world because while our circumstances might be ever changing, our love only grows stronger as we take on this big, wide world, hand-in-hand.

Photos by Cooley Photography