Dustin and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary last week. It was a great day! Dustin asked what I wanted to do special for our anniversary and I said, "Go see a movie!!" Funny how what use to be such a simple activity is now a treat. Thanks to friends we got to see a movie and have dinner together, just like the old times. =)
The old times...it seems like so long ago that it was just Dustin and I. Every day was about just us. We had a lot of good quality time together, time to make each laugh, time for lots of hugs and kisses and cuddles, time to talk about anything and nothing, time to love and feel loved. We came so easy for each other I think. Our personalities are so much alike that, honestly, marriage hasn't been as difficult as I know it is for some couples. We mesh really well together and so, without a ton of effort, we happened well.
We have realized, though, that more effort is needed for our marriage now that little Gram has entered our lives. It takes more effort to be us when there's the sweetest, cutest little person around all the time, taking our attention and affection, which we gladly give! It's hard to not have as many moments together, moments for just us, moments to focus solely on the other, to give our attention and affection completely. It's hard. It takes so much intentionality, it doesn't come as easy any more.
What I've also realized anew is that there's nothing greater worth fighting for. Nothing that I want to work harder for. I love my husband. This past year I have loved him in a new way, as a father. I love seeing him with Gram, making Gram laugh hysterically, cuddled up with Gram on the couch napping, feeding Gram at the dinner table, and especially changing Gram's stinky diapers! Do men know how sexy it is to be a father?
But I don't want to forget why I feel in love with Dustin or how I have loved him more and more each year we've been married. I love Dustin because he makes me laugh like no one else in the whole world, he knows how to lift my spirits in the hard times and to make life light again. I love Dustin because he loves Jesus and he has given his whole life to following Him and helping others to do the same. I love Dustin because he loves to learn and is constantly challenging me to grow. I love Dustin because he loves my quirks, I think he thinks I'm the funniest person in the whole world and I love that! I love Dustin because he has such a sensitive and truthful heart. I love Dustin because he is hard working and a man of integrity. I love Dustin because he would do anything for our family, for me. I trust him more than I have trusted any one. He has never given me one reason to not trust him or to doubt his love for me. He is one of the most steadfast people I know and I admire him more and more each year.
This year, like the last 4, I feel priveledged to be Dustin's wife. I don't know how God orchestrated Dustin falling in love with me, but I am and will be forever grateful. I couldn't have asked for a better partner to share life with. In the midst of a group of people, he continues to be the person I want to be hanging around with, the man I want coming home with me at night, the one person I would choose to be stranded on an island with. You're it Dustin!
I love you....forever.
Happy Anniversary.
