Seven Years Ago

Today I committed myself to this man for a lifetime in an empty church in the presence of God, a priest, the hotel translator and the hotel tennis pro.

The way our marriage began really has set the stage of our life. We march to our own beat, always work to keep each other first & foremost, prefer a quiet life to one full of hustle & bustle and always have fun.

Instead of the big wedding we decided to start our new life together with only each other to focus on. As much as we missed our friends & family there really is nothing I would change about that day.

We started with a couples massage and then got dressed for our wedding. I had Mitch blindfolded in the lobby so he wouldn't see me on the way to the Church. Unfortunately, our driver took us to the wrong Church outside of Montego Bay and not the Catholic Church inside Montego Bay. By the time we arrived Mitch was definitely carsick. I remember waiting outside while he took some time to feel better with a splash of water on his face.

The back doors and side panel doors were open to let the breeze come through the non air conditioned Church. This did not help Mitch's carsickness. In the video he looks like he is going to pass out but in that moment I didn't notice. All I knew was that I was standing beside the person I would know for the rest of my life.

Once we were married folks we went back to the resort, took some pictures, had some cake & then changed to our bathing suits. We spent the rest of the day on the beach and enjoyed a beautiful sunset dinner.

The last seven years have seen one beautiful son, two cross country moves, two homes, four crazy animals, a trip to Shanghai during SARS, many friends, many jobs, trials that have brought us closer together & countless laughs. I couldn't have asked for more.

I am so lucky to have a good man by my side everyday. After seven years he still longs for my attention & love. After seven years I still have tears well up in my eyes when I think of all the ways that I love him. We work very hard at our marriage and sometimes that doesn't make it easy but I'm not looking for easy I'm looking for a lifetime.

I saw an older married couple a few weeks ago in the airport. It appeared he was suffering from Alzheimers and she was his caretaker. Watching her with him and then seeing the tears she held back reminded me that is what love looks like when it is nurtured through the years.

I am so blessed to walk with a man who makes me a better person for just knowing him. Did I mention he's an amazing father?

Here is a video of one of my favorite songs from Jack Johnson. I think of my husband and our life everytime I hear it.



Here is one of his favorite songs by Jack Johnson that I would love to think is how he sees our life. I suppose I need to ask him, don't I?

Tonight we are off to a grown up dinner to celebrate seven married years and nine years side by side.

lovemon