Counting Down, Looking Back, and Looking Forward

Michael and I are quickly approaching our 10th wedding anniversary, two weeks from tomorrow.

So much has changed in our lives since that wonderful day 10 years ago. Births, deaths, milestones. Happy times, and sad ones too. We lost loved ones, both friends and family. Michael's brother and father left us way too early (crying for that). My great-uncle and great-grandmother passed after many wonderful years in our lives. We were blessed with Connor and Fiona, who have unified our family to be formidable force (we'd all do anything to protect them). We bought our first car together. Then our second, third, and fourth. We bought a house. We became at first reluctant, and then proud, cat guardians. And we've lost three of four to accidents or disease.

We've rekindled friendships with friends from the past and we've made so many wonderful new friendships. Our multitude of friends bring so much happiness to our lives. We've also lost friends to illness. We've enjoyed countless parties and celebrations for birthday, holidays, and no reason at all. We've celebrated life together and stood aside friends through bad times and good.

We've been successfully and gainfully employed at the same employers through our marriage (and for both of us, years beyond). This has allowed us to travel for both pleasure and work across the US and to Caribbean. The experiences and relationships forged during these trips have etched themselves into our beings forever.

We have been each others' sounding board, celebrant, strong shoulder, lover, devil's advocate, champion, and partner for almost 13 years. I never imagined how happy I could be with Michael. The newness of our early relationship has given way to shared experiences and dreams. We know each other better than anyone else knows us, both good and bad.

And every new day gives birth to new memories, experiences, and a bright and happy future. There will surely be dark days, days that we don't want to repeat, but that will make us stronger together. We will argue. We will cry. We will laugh. We will dream. And our love and commitment will continue to be the fiber of our relationship.

I am blessed for every moment Michael has been in my life. I love you more than words can express, honey.