100 More Years

"Let it be said that... We followed our hearts more than the rules. We were often happiest about the littlest, most insignificant things. We took the scenic route. We sometimes hugged and didn't want to let go. We danced when we could. We laughed more than we cried. We messed up daily. We got a few things really, really right. We loved our families. We were blessed."

Our Wedding Day - May 22, 2010

I still can't believe that two years ago I put on that perfect dress and walked down the aisle with my daddy to marry not someone who was perfect, but someone who is perfect for me. I thank God every day for putting such an incredible person in my life. We've grown from two flirty teenagers without a care in the world to two adults taking on the world together. Our life is a constant adventure and we continue to grow as individuals and together every single day. Not a day goes by I don't think about how truly lucky I am to have met someone who never stops amazing me. There have been many rough patches along the way, but at the end of the day I know that no matter what this life brings we have each other and no one can take that away from us.

This video sums up how our fairytale day went. The tears flow every time I watch it -- I can't think of a day there was more joy in my heart and it was also the last "perfect" day I experienced before a big part of my world fell apart. I think that day prepared me for what lied ahead because I think of how we were surrounded by so many friends and family who have helped us through some very difficult times over the past couple years .. having so many people who love and support you makes all the difference in the world.

Our Fairytale

I asked Benny for a little help on this blog since this marriage kind of takes two people. He objected at first and told me his brain doesn't work like mine (FACT).

Benny's Advice for Surviving 2 Years of Marriage:

1. Let her think she's right even though she's never right. (Little does he know, I am usually ALWAYS right)
2. Don't forget to say, "I love you."
3. Think before you speak .. and then think again before you speak.
4. You don't always have to like her, but you always gotta love her.
5. Compromise.
6. Make time for her and you.
7. Remember when she tells you she's getting a haircut and make sure to compliment her hair before she starts whipping it around asking if you notice anything different.
8. Tell her she looks pretty EVERY day!
9. If she says she MIGHT want a root beer float, that means get her a root beer float.. pronto.

"That's the keys to success!" - Benny

Our First Anniversary

Grace's (less cliche) Advice:

1. Dance Together. No music required.
2. His socks will NEVER (I repeat NEVER) make it in the laundry hamper but rather right next to it. Don't buy a bigger laundry hamper - it won't help.
3. Popcorn is a perfectly acceptable supper.
4. Don't hint at things. It's no good for anyone.
5. Let him win in ping pong every now and then - it's good for his self-esteem.
6. Rather than having him move his XBox to the basement, invest in DVR. Otherwise, you may never see him again.
7. You may feel the only time his eyes actually work are when he believes the Cyclones have been cheated by the refs. This is indeed the case. For awhile, you might get annoyed or even angry that he can't find anything right in front of his face - eventually you'll realize it's funny and you'll play the "you're getting warmer" game until he's annoyed that you won't just get whatever he's looking for.
8. Everyone will tell you, "Never go to bed angry." I'm here to tell you - go to bed angry. It sure beats working the next day on 2 hours of sleep - and usually when you wake up you realize it was nothing to be angry about.
9. Remind him often that you appreciate all he does for you and your family.
10. Most importantly, pray together.

Please don't think for a second that we are perfect people or have the "perfect" marriage, because if you do, we sure have you fooled.  Someone once told us we are living a "fairytale." Let me assure you -- fairy tales are not reality. We don't always agree, we fight, we get mad over silly things, and sometimes we're even mean to each other ... we have our own struggles we deal with and we don't always get things right. We are humans and we constantly make mistakes. But it's in all these moments that we learn to really value each other -- we grow, we apologize, we move on, and we let go and we remember what's really important ...

Our 2nd Anniversary at Falls Park

The 3 of Us!

We are about to embark on the next chapter in our journey together and we have no idea what lies ahead for us .. we have so many hopes and dreams for the future, for our family, for our careers. We don't know what bumps we'll hit along the way, but with all the love we have around us - we know we can get through anything.

"I want to stay right here - make it last - for 100 more years!"