Year 2

Year 2 kicked our ass (7/15/13-7/14/14). And then we bought a house (7/16/14).

I honestly can't remember all the wounds we gave eachother or all the times my faith in us teetered. The loneliness though, that I can remember. I can remember the feeling of exhaustion. And of feeling that harmony was a fleeting emotion. I think there were circumstances that created part of our terrible two. You, driving to Arkansas every weekend from November-January; me, working long hours February-April; us both having full-time jobs for the first time. I also see in retrospect that we sacrificed one another. Me to "do ministry" and you to "make your new business happen". I look back and wonder why we ever would have chosen something or someone over the person who loves us best and makes the hard times one giggle away from being OK.

At some point during the home buying process, the shift began. We were somehow returning to one another. So for that and so many other reasons, I am thankful for our house. I'm thankful for the porch where we sit and talk without distraction. I'm thankful for the longing we each have to be ONE instead of the two we can find ourselves being. I am thankful for year two to be behind us, but also thankful that it had its place in our marriage.

I love you for sticking it out with me, for confessing when our love falls short, for sending me a "have a good day text" every day of our 2 years. I love you for reminding me what passion looks and feels like. I love you for driving on Broadway to get to our house everyday. I love you because you make me laugh even when I don't want to. I love you because I never have to doubt that behind the political battles, the differing sports teams, the opposing personalities, you are with me. I love learning how to share this life with you.

I love you, Nick.
Kels