Seven Years is Legit

We may not have looked that legit back on June 11, 2005. But now, we're the real deal.

Today marks the end of my seventh year as Brad's wife. I love this picture of us acting silly on our wedding day; the first day of my life as a Mrs. to my Mr. I'm starting to look back at our wedding photos and think, "Man, we were just babies!" At the time we thought 21 was sooooo grown up! Ha.

I'm finally beginning to feel like we've been married a long time. Up until recently, I was like, "Oh, we're still newlyweds! We just got married! It seems like only yesterday!" Now, I think, "Wow, we've really been married a long time. Seven years is kind of a big deal. We have accumulated a lot of history and experience as a married couple. We've grown up a lot together over the course of this totally legit marriage."

I thought I might feel sad when the "honeymoon phase" was over, but I actually think I like this part even better. It's real. I know it's real. I'm not worried about what it'll be like when the fantasy is grounded. I trust myself as a wife, and I'm not always wondering what kind of wife I am or want to be and how to be that. And I trust Brad as a husband; trust him to know how to put our marriage first, to treat me in a way that would make our parents proud, and to strive to be the husband God expects him to be. We really have learned a lot together; about ourselves, about each other, about life and finances and responsibilities and friendships and compromises and adulthood and love. I know we'll continue learning various lessons as the years go on. I can't wait to learn how to be a mama to his many precious babies as he masters the art of being an incredible daddy. Hopefully, the eighth year will also be the year we add parenthood to our marriage cocktail. Only God knows that at this point.

Anyway... (Sorry. My brain seems to always find a way to back to babies, right now.)

I feel very blessed to have been able to spend the last seven years as Brad's wife. I'm honored that he chose me to be his One. I'm happy that the dork I fell in love with in high school remains the handsome stud I continue to love today. ...Even more than I ever thought possible back in the day when he held my hand outside my locker.

Love you, B. A whole lot. Happy 7th anniversary, my sweet boy.