Two Years Ago

Two years ago I was in a limo on the way to church. Except this time it wasn't Sunday service. It was my wedding. The element of surprise was obsolete since my groom was sitting next to me. But that didn't take the magic out of it all.
He opened the door and fled into the church while the girls and I waited patiently for everyone to be seated. Only a couple moments passed before he returned sobbing. His grandfather had died just a short couple months before while he was at boot camp. His uncle had presented him with his grandfather's war medal. Not the best of timing but it allowed me to see his vulnerable side once more before we said I do. It was the perfect push I needed to step out of that door and pull the veil over my face.

In what seemed like a few seconds full of shaky legs and tears we were married. The rest of the night went by so fast that I honestly can barely remember most of it.

We were blessed in that we spent most of our first year of marriage together. Just a few short absences. The second year however was mostly separate. This deployment has been a huge hurdle. No I take that back. A hurdle is something you have to jump over. This is more of a winding river. No matter what we were headed in the same direction but whether we chose to paddle meant all the difference in how we would end up.

Being away from your partner in crime is pretty difficult. Especially with a new baby to care for. Although I will admit that this was no where near as hard as I had anticipated. For the most part you just do what you need to do. Instead of waking up every morning just to suffer through a day without him I chose to wake up every morning realizing we were one day closer to being together.

"Faith in God includes faith in His timing." Neal A. Maxwell

Everything happens for a reason. And everything happens when it is supposed to happen. God only gives us what we can handle. There is never a question about finding the strength to overcome because He has given it to you.
Not once did I lay awake at night wondering why I had to endure this deployment. For I knew exactly why. It was part of His plan for me, for us. It was his way of proving our love for one another. It got difficult at times but never unbearable. I never thought about leaving. I only thought about how much stronger we were becoming.

So I can sit here and complain about how I spent an entire year of marriage away from my husband. Or I can sit here and tell you how blessed I am that God believes in our love enough to give us the ultimate challenge. I know that He was reassuring us that we are supposed to be together. That this was his remarkable way of reinforcing our love.

Two years ago today my love and I promised ourselves to one another and to God. Today I don't get to spend with my husband, but God has reassured me that is not important. What's important is that we have a very powerful love with an unbreakable bond. No matter the distance we are still one.

Happy Anniversary Papa Bear<3 You mean the world to me and so much more. I'm so thankful to have you in my life forever and always.