Fifteen Years of Bliss
On June 10th, Jeff and I celebrated our FIFTEENTH (15th) wedding anniversary. When you consider how long that really is, especially when you hit that milestone before you're even 35 and feeling "old," it's actually quite amazing. Not to mention this is year was his 15th Father's day and it's kind of awesome. It's been a sweet blessing to watch him grow as a Daddy over the years. I love hearing the conversations he has with them or watching him play games and be silly. The kids have a special treasure in their Daddy. While he's definitely not a bubbly person, in fact, he reminds us at times of Snow White's Grumpy, he's got the heart of a hero. And I love him.
Our Story in a Really Small Nutshell
I am pretty sure most people see our pictures and just think "what a smoking hot couple" - or at least that's what I think. :) Wishful thinking? Whatever. Doesn't matter. What's important is that mentality has been with me since the first day I met Jeff. I couldn't help but feel drawn to him, initially just as a friend, but I always thought he was a cutie. We were destined to be in each others' lives. Spending time with him was always a treat then and I cherish every moment even now.
After about a year of friendship and courting – we didn't date, it wasn't "allowed" – we got married. I'll spare you the details, but I was married at 18, just a few months after finding out we would be parents. I say it in real life often and I'll say it here, too. I don't believe that just because you have a child you are meant to be together or even should marry. Jeff and I are lucky to have found what we did in each other, and that was way before I was pregnant. We were best friends then and even closer now. You'd think we'd be tired of each other, especially now that I'm working from home! But, nope.
My 18th birthday
“The more connections you and your lover make, not just between your bodies, but between your minds, your hearts, and your souls, the more you will strengthen the fabric of your relationship, and the more real moments you will experience together.”
I am writing this post because I don't think I give him enough credit when it comes to WHO he is in my life. He really is more than just a husband, or the kids' daddy. I'm seriously blessed to tout him as my best friend, the love of my life, and he makes me happy, even through the ups and downs; he's the one I want to go through all of the crazy with in life. I love all of our real moments.
Jeff is one of the hardest workers that I know.
After fifteen years, when I think of the various jobs he's held to take care of his family, the crap he has had to deal with when I began to work outside the home, and just the everyday life of being married to me and having five kids – We are A LOT – my heart is overjoyed that he does it all for us. I'm sure we overwhelm him to no end since most of us are extroverted, have ADD, are loud, and can be pretty crazy and very talkative. He's my shy guy and is probably going to freak out when he finds out that I dedicated an entire post just to gush about him. But, he comes home from a long day at work, sits on the couch and the kids swarm him to tell him about their day. He listens and looks at their pictures, schoolwork or new toys, and let's them share their thoughts. There are days where he's so exhausted we try to just let him be, but it's really hard because we missed him all day, haha.
When I think of all the ups and downs, the celebrations, the tears, the frustration and sheer joy that we've experienced the past 15 years, I can't imagine it being spent with anyone else. While he's at work, I can't wait for 11:35 AM because it's his lunch break!! That means we get to text for about 20 minutes or so. He leaves in the morning before I am wide awake, and when he gets home, he's pretty exhausted. Once he's in bed, I'm working on the computer on homework or design/blog stuff, in the quiet of the night. I live for the few minutes we get to "chat" via text during his work week. It might sound corny, but it's my life.
Well, we started our own business last year, and it's been really cool to work together on various projects and I especially enjoy watching him work at what he loves – photography & design. So on his days off, he spends it with us, but also working for ME (insert evil laugh). He's super talented and I am so proud of him. I know it hasn't been easy for him to come out of his shell and take steps towards fulfilling his dream of being a full-time creative, but he's heading in the right direction. I can't wait for him to be fully submerged in his craft and share that with the world! In fact, he is the one that came up with our business name - How About Now Creative Co., it was a question that we always posed to each other – "sooooo, how about now?" haha. "Okay, honey, are you ready now" "Let's do this business. Wait. Ok. How about now?" So it stuck, and that is what we ask our clients. Tomorrow isn't promised, and we should revel in today.
Wanna know our secret?
We have none. He satisfies my soul and doesn't clip my fairy wings. He encourages me to dream and fly higher. He's there when I feel like I've fallen or lost my way. Likewise, I help him push his boundaries, encourage him to not only dream but take action on those dreams. He makes me laugh and we can just sit together and be in absolute silence, but in full comfort by each other's side. We are total opposites, but we compliment each other in personality and even creativity. I love him with every fiber of my being and I know that he loves me just the same. We've learned to give and take over the years, complimenting, compromising and doing for each other. Over the years, I learned to let things go... if only I had Elsa around back then, haha. Marriage cannot be selfish and we must know each other's ways of showing love. We aren't perfect and never will be, and that means we have a lifetime to grow together. I wouldn't have it any other way!
We've Got Love
Sometimes they say "Love isn't enough." I beg to differ. Where there is love, there is a reason to keep moving forward and to hold on no matter what. We are not rich with money, but we are rich in love. We are choosing to use love the foundation for everything we do, not just our marriage. If you ask our kids if we love each other, they'll probably make googly faces in disgust and answer with a resounding "yes - they're in love, gross." Haha. But they're glad, and so are we.
When I was living in LA part-time working for Disney Baby, Jeff made me a CD mix of songs for my drive and to think of him and our love. One of my favorites is Marvin Gaye's "We Can Make it Baby." I thought I'd share a link to it here. :)
Jeffrey – Happy Anniversary, My Love.
To infinity and beyond. Always and forever. I love you.
Have you celebrated a milestone recently? Wedding or otherwise? What's your favorite thing about your significant other?
