Our 6th Anniversary & Thoughts on Marriage

Six years ago today, David and I were married... actually, right about now I was probably making my way down the aisle to meet my best friend. For us, it was the perfect day - we were surrounded by those we loved as we committed our lives to one another before God. 

Any of us who are married (and didn't elope) know how much time goes into planning most weddings. Starting months in advance, people fuss over minute details people will never remember. Brides try on 37 wedding dresses hoping to find "the one." Those last couple weeks before the big day can be chaotic (especially if you're the crazy that gets married the Saturday after finals week...) finalizing all the plans and making sure everything is just so. 

A week or two before our wedding, I had some opportunities to get together with some very good friends. They offered last minute advice or we just enjoyed a moment of calm in the midst of trying to get everything done. One of my friends gave me some fantastic advice - she told me that I needed to put as much time and effort into my marriage as I did my wedding. I know it's kind of cliche, but it's advice I fear many couples disregard. 

I'm so thankful for the husband God has blessed me with. David and I have been best friends for a long time (we met when we were 15) and have been in love for many of those years. We had a great foundation for a wonderful life together. Even so, marriage is work. It takes prayer and cultivation to have a successful and happy life with another person.  I think going into marriage knowing that it was going to take work helped us tremendously.

While we're definitely not old pros at this whole marriage thing, I think we're out of the newlywed stage. David and I work to put the other first and we are genuinely happy with our lives and how God has blessed us. We've read and been told that the seventh year is the toughest but I don't buy it - David and I are going to be working to make this one the best year yet.