This week I’m taking a break from the traditional MIAM to honor D’s and my two year anniversary. Yep, that’s right…. we were married on 11.11.11. I really can’t believe how fast time has gone by. We have certainly chosen a different path than most…. but I have loved every minute of it. I am fascinated that I still find out new things about him every day. Like that he speaks better French than me, he prefers chocolate without nuts {always dark over milk}, and he had British school teachers as a child. Having only lived with him in a foreign country, I realized we’ve never had the conversation about which stateside pizza delivery he likes best. Would we order Papa Johns? Pizza Hut?? Domino’s?? I had no idea… we’ve never had the opportunity. Crazy, huh?
I could go mushy gushy about how marriage is a gift and how in love we are, which is true, but seems a little overdone. Marriage isn’t easy… also cliche, I know… but it’s a lot of hard work. D and I are still learning and we are challenged to communicate better with each other every day. While two years doesn’t make me an expert by any means… I did want to share a couple of things I’ve learned in the past two years. Take them for what they’re worth.
1. If your fighting and he’s looking at you like your nuts…. and it’s anywhere near dinnertime, you’re probably “hangry” {so hungry you’re angry. Thanks B!}. Stop arguing, eat something, and start again. 9 times out of 10 the conversation goes differently with a full tummy.
2. Always try to greet him when he comes home from work. If you can’t ask him to let you get to a stopping point, and then get up and hug and kiss the heck out of him. It puts you both in a good mood.
3. When arguing always hold hands. It’s harder to stay mad at someone if your touching them.
4. In the end, it really isn’t important to be “right”. It’s more important to be on the same page.
5. Sometimes he just needs to love on you. Put the dishes {or whatever else you’re working on} down and let him.
6. You can never have enough patience. EVER.
7. Always remember that he is your biggest ally. Cut him off and you’re losing the one person who will have your back no matter what.
8. Genuine appreciation goes a long way.
9. If you can learn forgiveness, you’ve defeated one of the giants.
10. Once upon a time, you chose him to spend the rest of your life with. Choose him again and again every single day. It will show.
In honor of our upcoming anniversary, we had a photo shoot with Jesse’s Girl Photography. It was so fun letting someone else do all the work behind the camera when my biggest challenge was to make sure my hair curled properly. It was also stellar to spend the evening with my best friend here in Germany. My heart and soul is vintage, so that was our theme and D looked smashing in his suit, tie, & fedora. Huge thanks to Jaimie Thompson for letting me borrow her gorgeous WHBM dress. A ridiculous thank you goes out to Jess for the photos. We LOVE them.
Thanks for coming back this week! It’s my hope that MIAM brightens the beginning of your week so you can power through to the end!
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