The Length of High School, One Presidential Term, and the Time Between the Olympics

Today is our 4^th anniversary.  Happy anniversary to us!  We had our nice celebration last night during which we had the most leisurely dinner we’ve had in over a year.  We didn’t have to share any portion of our meal, or pick things up off the floor, or go into all out distract/entertain mode, or only devote a third of our attention to our own meals.  The tablecloths, dim lighting and lack of a kids’ menu were, for one meal, not a source of concern. In short, it was amazing.  I love Amelia more than I can even articulate, but that definitely doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy time apart.

Tonight, we had a different kind of celebration.  We had Coke in a bottle and some macaroni and cheese as homage to our lovely wedding reception four years ago where both of those things had their turns in the spotlight.   We have a lot going on right now (expect at least one more blog post in the next couple of days to touch on all of the news – I know you’ll all be on the edge of your seats), so this was the perfect celebration for us.  We have big plans to buy a blueberry bush to plan in order to fulfill the “theme” of the 4^th anniversary, fruit/flowers. 

Last night, as we ate our meals instead of inhaling them, we did reminisce about the last four years.  Four years is a significant amount of time.  It’s as long as high school, as long as college, as long as a single Presidential term, and the length of time between the Olympics.  This year, we felt the time.  An amazing amount of life changes have taken place this year.  We became parents before our 3^rd anniversary, but having a 13 month old brings a lot more experience, lessons learned, triumphs, vulnerabilities and just maybe, dare I claim it, possibly even wisdom, than having a 1 month old did at this time last year.  We both started new jobs in the past year and endured a major move.  Big things. 

Big changes always play tricks with the passage of time.  Those changes are how we mark time.  Life before Amelia, life before Boone, life before the wedding, life before Scout, etc, etc, etc. 

This conversation brought about the realization that we are so “grown-up.”  You may roll your eyes or even chuckle at our realization, being that we are respectively 33 and 31 years old and our marriage is still young by many standards.  Being an adult is undeniable at this point, I know, no matter what we may cling to from our previous selves.  I’m sticking to the idea voiced by a commercial recently; I’m embracing my inner “kid-ult,” even though the realities of life demand being responsible.  Believe it or not, the two things are not mutually exclusive.

All this aside, we made it through another year.  In fact, not only did we make it, we made it with smiles on our faces, as partners, best friends, shoulders to cry on, hands to hold, and laughter.  As far as I’m concerned, that’s a win. It’s a cause for celebration!  This milestone is marriage rejuvenation.  Anniversaries are just as much a celebration of a living love as a wedding. 

So, happy four years!  I hope your coming year is full of laughter, friendship, support, tears and smiles, along with fruits and flowers.  Happy our anniversary to all of you!