I just read through the blog post I wrote in honor of David and I's one year marriage anniversary. I forgot how much I loved writing – letting words flow, turning everyday thoughts into poetic phrase. And here I am 4 years later. We have hit another milestone. FIVE years married. And now I will try to find words to describe my feelings.
It's been a really fun 5 years. We have done so much. We have lived so much life together. We have learned and grown together. And I am more confident than ever that we are so good for each other, meant to be uniquely the way we each are, together.
We are SO different and yet love so much of the same things. This makes for a wonderful expression of adventure. Heading towards the same things in different directions. Ending in the same place. We build on each other’s interests and stretch each other’s perspectives. Bigger, broader, more beautiful. Together.
It's been mostly a simple life, speckled with big dreams and blessed with lots of special memories. I can't believe all the places we have been together.
The adventures we've had around the world:
switzerland
germany
france
italy
iceland
england
scotland
austria
canada (including british columbia and quebec)
And the ones we’ve had on our own turf:
arizona
utah
nevada
new mexico
colorado
oregon
washington
We’ve moved many times. Six, to be exact, after leaving the square. Before we left for Europe the first time (summer 2015) we moved into the Rans House in Los Osos. A year later we got rid of most of our belongings, packed up, and moved to Oregon (summer 2016). We started in downtown Portland, then took a transitional move to the Truax Farm (winter 2017), which is where we decided to stay in Oregon longer. We then jumped over to Lake Oswego (spring 2017). Finally, after 8 months there, we accepted our fate of heading back to California when we were offered the opportunity to live in the iFixit House in SLO (fall 2017). After 3 months of looking around for a place in Los Osos, we ended up moing back into the Rans House. It’s been a little over a year now, and we have no plans to move for the first time in years haha.
Six moves in 4 years is a lot, and I think we’re finally slowing down, although you never know with us. We might move into a trailer and travel around the country before we multiply again.
Speaking of… we have also made and grown and birthed two babies in these 5 years. We have an incredible little boy that has stolen both of our attention and awe and now a baby girl that is destined to do the same with those four little dimples that surround that eternal smile. Our hearts have grown as we’ve welcomed these two special beings into our lives. There was a time that I thought I’d never be ready to share David with anyone. But I’m realizing I get so much more of him. This whole other facet of himself. David the daddy is fun and wild and full of excitement. How did I get so lucky to be a mommy with this amazing daddy by my side!?
We cherish the time we get to snuggle and the time we get alone, but nothing beats being together, all 4 of us. Of course it's crazy and so much different than the first 3 years as just the two of us. Now our days are so much more full. We are stretched and challenged in new ways as parents. Our love is tested and we have come out on top. We are better now than we were before. Because as parents, you can't live for yourself. You must love for others and most importantly for God!
Our love is an outflow of His and we are so thankful to be in this love together.
Happy 5 years Baby!
I love you forever.