Celebrating 5 years of marriage

5 years ago we were running through checklists and soaking up as much wedding knowledge as possible. We were some of the firsts in our circle of friends to get married so it was new territory indeed. But we were filled with excitement, never a moment of hesitation. We couldn't wait to be married. Planning a wedding was stressful. Silly stress mixed with deep rooted stress that all quickly evaporated for a moment in time during those sweet days of our honeymoon. And then life began, quickly, together. We put our finances on track, made a million plans and started down this wonderfully hard journey of marriage where you learn compassion, compromise, endless love, frustration and constant companionship. I love being married to Richard. Every single day. 

Our journey over the past 5 years has included 7 changes in job roles, 4 apartments, 4 degrees, 3 churches, 3 apartment fires, 2 dogs, apartment ministry and moving from Texas to New York City. It has also included thousands of pictures, too many laughs, dinner parties, an insane amount of travel, late nights, early mornings, Saturday breakfasts, Thursday date nights, dancing with friends, hundreds of restaurants and so many photobooks to capture all these memories that I have lost count. 

We have learned and experienced quite a bit. 

We have learned how to develop new friendships while maintaining old friendships and growing with other couples. We have also learned how to deal with family hardships outside of our own and allow each other to be comforted for what the past has left and the future brings.

We've gone to bed mad, we've been irritated with each other for breathing too loudly and have not seen eye to eye on a few things. But our deep friendship, love and excitement about our life together has always pulled us easily through. And we always, always have date night once a week.

In 5 years we have traveled all 50 states, 7 countries and managed to keep our calendars full of new adventures with friends. We have never stopped dreaming of adventures - big or little.

We have followed through on a strict budget allowing for travel, student loan payoff, savings and retirement. And we hold each other accountable as we achieve our financial goals together. And we celebrate. 

We have seen each other experience deep pain and sadness, anger beyond belief and hit figurative walls when we no longer knew where to turn. And we got through, together.

Having two dogs has taught us what it means to put priorities in order - whether that means rearranging schedules, unanticipated costs, leaving work early or staying up all night together, worried, at the pet hospital.

And most importantly, we have learned to pray together and for each other. 

By allowing God's grace, love and compassion into our lives, we have been blessed with a strong marriage and a vision for our future together. Marriage will take you through all seasons of life, many unexpected - happy, sad, confused, frustrated, tired, adventurous, exciting - but the best part is that it is together. Life is a journey and I'm thankful for my husband helping me navigate that journey. I am beyond excited for what God has in store for the next 5 years. 

We celebrated with an amazing European adventure! I've highlighted our trip below and will share in more detail soon! :)