Thursday, March 25, 2010

Ten

Today is our tenth wedding anniversary.  It seem like ten years can't possibly have passed already; at the same time, it doesn't seem like ten years could possibly be enough time to hold all that we've experienced as a couple.

We had a lot going against us in the beginning...at least in other people's eyes.  For starters, there was that age thing.  On our wedding day, I was 36, but Shane was only 23.  Shane's family, more than my own, didn't think it would work for that reason alone.  That he picked me up in a bar (or was it me who picked him up?) was another factor, because, you know, those kind of relationships never work out.  The fact that ours was a whirlwind romance...he moved in with me four days after we met and we were married eight months later...meant we couldn't possible know each other well enough to get married.

But wed we did, and wed we remain.  And some of those naysayers are even starting to come around to the idea. 

A couple of nights ago, we were making a list of all the things we have now that we didn't have then.  Some things are obvious, like the 40 pounds each of has gained, but some of the other things we came up with aren't as visible, such as the lessons we've learned about money.  Some of the things we have now are precious, like Kat, and some are mundane, like our front-loading washing machine.  Things like eyeglasses, scars, and the aches and ailments we now have had yet to show up in 2000.  We have different vehicles and a different home than we did a decade ago.  We now have cats and a pop-up camper.  We have a better relationship with my daughter than we did ten years ago and we have a son-in-law now.  We have skills and experience we didn't have then.  In ten years, we've grown closer as a couple and more confident as individuals.

In other words, he have a lot now that we didn't have then, and good or bad, I wouldn't trade any of it.

I may be the wife, but I'm not "the romantic one" in this relationship.  So for me to say I love and respect Shane even more now than I did ten years ago...well that's pretty darn mushy.

But it's true.

18 comments:

Together We Save said...

That is wonderful!! Happy Anniversary!!

slugmama said...

Awwww....sounded pretty darn mushy to me. From one non-romantic to another.

And who'd a thought you were a cougar!lol Whoa baby....hehehe

Sheila said...

Happy Anniversary!! Yep, mushy but in a good way!! I hope y'all have many more good years.

Bluepaintred said...

A beautiful post!

Micah and I also hit ten this year, back in august though, and more than just his family were sure we would never make it. there were jokes, loud enough to be heard over our vows, about how long we would last. fun times.

Love doesn't care about age, nor does it care how long you have known the person, Love is undefinable and will strike when it wants, and if you are smart enough, you hang on and have the time of your life.

I hope you and Shane have ten HUNDRED more years of happiness and growth! (emotional growth, not the poundage kind!)

Bluepaintred said...

omg is my avatar pic ever old! I cant remember how to change it though!

Annie Jones said...

TWS: Thank you. :)

Sluggy: Yeah, Demi and Ashton got the idea from us. ;)

Sheila: Thanks!

Blue: Hi! Somehow I don't have you in my Google reader...adding you right now. Happy 10th to you, too, even if it's a few months late!

Candy said...

Congratulations, Happy Anniversary today and God's Blessings always!

The Cookbook Junkie said...

Happy Anniversary!

DH and I aren't going to make it to our 10th so maybe I'll have to try a much younger model next time LOL.

Paula

Frances said...

Happy Anniversary! What a wonderful post! You and Shane are so blessed to have found each other.

Hubby and I hit celebrate our 13th next month and I know what you mean. It seems like only yesterday, but in other ways forever. (And we met in a bar, too!)

McVal said...

Happy Anniversary! Your picture is beautiful! Robb and I share our #22 anniversary in May.
The first time I met him, a girl (his current girlfriend) was sitting on his lap... but we didn't date for a couple more years.

Sonya Ann said...

I love it!!!!! I'm so happy that you have such a wonderful marriage. When you know it right, no one should stand in your way. Now don't tell Anna that I said that!

Tug said...

Happy Happy Anniversary!!

I owe you an e-mail...have been swamped & have the kids this weekend, I'll catch up soon-ish. promise.

Beth said...

Congrautlations! I love that the two of you overcame the odds and are still happily married:)

ThriftyPuppy said...

That was a really heart-felt post. Congratulations on your 10th! I hope you have a wonderful anniversary.

Annie Jones said...

Thank you everyone!

Lisa B. said...

Happy Anniversary!

Doug Robertson said...

Who would have thought you mushy? Very nice post, congratulations to you both. Great picture, too, by the way.

Annie Jones said...

Thanks, Lisa and Doug. :)