Wednesday, June 15, 2016

It Hasn't Been Easy, But It's Been Worth It

In 6 days we will be celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary, it really is hard to believe that it has already been that long. 

Throughout our relationship we have had many ups and down, some downs that I really thought were going to tear us apart. Too often we see the outer representation of a relationship and it seems perfect but it's rare that we see the flaws. No relationship is perfect, I think we all know that, I want to see the imperfections, the tiny cracks that have helped build a foundation worth fighting for.

Our relationship did not start out in the most conventional way, yes we met almost 20 years ago in middle school but our story didn't start until much later. He was living in NC as a newly commissioned 2LT and I was working my full-time job at a mortgage company in Las Vegas. AOL Instant Messenger and Myspace brought us together and 3 months after reconnecting we were married. Yes you did read that right. He wanted me to move to NC to live with him and I said no unless he had plans to marry me, well he called my bluff haha.

To be honest our first year was extremely difficult, we were figuring out who we were as individuals as well as a couple. I was living in a new place with someone I didn't know all that well. There were growing pains and a lot of tear inducing fights, but we made it through. We are both stubborn, independent, and opinionated, which in all honesty has made our relationship that much better.

The next several years were filled with highs and lows. Infertility/pregnancy loss, multiple separations because of the military, and the loss of my Mom. To be honest all of those low points made us better people and they made us a better couple because we realized that no matter the situation there was no one else that we would want to go through it with. Everything we have gone through has made us appreciate each other more and love each other more.

I don't want anyone to think that we aren't happy because we are, I wanted to show that relationships and marriage take work, lots of hard work, but in the end it is worth it. We have lived through more in our 8 years together than most do in a lifetime and we are better because of it all. 

I couldn't have imagined spending the last 8 years with anyone else, our love has grown so much and my life is not complete without him. He has made me a better person and I hope that I have done the same for him. 



19 comments:

  1. Happy early anniversary! The two of you are such a strong and inspiring couple!

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  2. Happy 8 years sweet friend. Marriage is daily showing up and saying I love you and I choose you. Y'all are a great example of that! <3

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  3. Happy almost anniversary! Marriage is no easy journey but it is one that is worth it with the right person for sure!

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  4. So True! Any relationship worth having is one you have to work at. Happy Anniversary!

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  5. Love your honesty! Marriage can be so messy and super hard. But it's so worth it! Happy Almost Anniversary! :)

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  6. Happy anniversary to both of you!

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  7. I love how honest and real this is!! Happy 8 year anniversary! :)

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  8. I love hearing "not the typical way people meet each other" stories. They are so much more better than the "we went to school together, fell in love and got married after dating for a hundred years" haha!

    HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO YOU TWO!!!!!!!

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  9. Awww... I love hearing more of your love story!!!! Happy anniversary! <3

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  10. Jen, this is such a beautiful post. Your honesty and candor is what's missing so often in blog land as we write just about the glossy parts. Happy almost anniversary!! And to 800 more!! ;)

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  11. Happy Anniversary!

    That photo is stunning!

    I 100% believe the military puts relationships through a fire so hot that you either come out unbreakable or you crumble in the process.

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  12. Your last anniversary with just the two of you!! <3 Happy Anniversary!!

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  13. No relationship is easy but making it through the struggle makes it stronger. Happy anniversary!

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  14. Happy Anniversary! I love how you two were able to find each other after knowing each other for so long. Marriage isn't always easy but when you're with the right person, it's totally worth it.

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Love hearing from you!! :)