one decade down... and still going strong

On a gorgeous, crisp, fall day just 10 years ago, my stomach was in knots and I couldn't wait to get on with my vacation. I was antsy with nervous excitement and was so much looking forward to being alone with the love of my life for 8 solid days with no appointments or interruptions. We were headed to Hawaii (Kauai, actually) for a long, romantic getaway, but first, we had to get ourselves married.

It's funny to think about how much time, money and effort goes into planning a wedding. I do remember loving just about every single detail of the planning, yet when it came to the big day, I was so nervous about having all eyes on me and being (1/2) of the center of attention all day. Of course I knew it was just family and friends that I was going to be happy to see there, but there's really nothing that can prepare you to feeling so much in the spotlight. A little anxious indeed.

Yet through all of my shaky nerves and butterflies flopping around within me, the minute my mom and dad escorted me down the aisle of the church, I knew that it was all worth it when I could actually feel the love radiating from my parents and my spouse-to-be when we joined hands. This was the moment I had been waiting for all of my life. Not the shaky, dry heaving moments which I felt hours before. Not the stress of not knowing if everyone who needed a corsage was going to receive one. And not wondering of there was going to be enough seating at the reception hall. Seeing the man who I loved most in the world awaiting me at the altar with a beaming smile and glistening eyes who was about to become my husband. For better or for worse, happily ever after.

God and everyone who has known us since, knows that we've had our share of "worse." Eric and I have gone through our share of heartache, grief and hopeless despair and we made it through together. And while I don't mean to refer to Ella and Ava as the "worse" but when you lose a child who you've waited so long to love and then have it happen a second time, I don't know how much more unpredictable "worse" a couple can experience. And then, look at us now. Just look what kind of ride this life of ours has taken us on. Elaina and Lincoln have become our now and complete our happily, ever after. We're all here together.

Through all of my life, all of my struggles, all of my joy and all of my laughter, I can't imagine that God could have paired me with someone who completes me more than Eric. We have surely seen our way through our fair share of arguments and differences in opinions, but there isn't anyone who I could ever want to forgive so easily and want forgiveness from and want to make an effort to restore peace. We work as a team, share in a partnership and enjoy a friendship that is about as unique as they come.

With all that we've been through in the past 10 years together, I know that this happiness and love for one another is just the ground work for many more years to come. With that same beaming groom from 10 years ago with the twinkle in his eye, Eric is still the man I want to be married to and share all that our future holds. If the best is yet to come, our future is looking incredible.