What Marriage Means to Me

These 3 years of marriage have taught me a lot about love. Marriage in the military has taught me a lot of flexibility, patience and understanding. Marriage means different things to everyone, but for me marriage is staying true to my wedding vows every day, being the best friend possible to my husband, and keeping communication open. We enjoy each others company, include each other in our hobbies and interests, and work together to solve problems and reach goals. For a long time it was hard for me to depend on Brad and accept that I do depend on him because I was raised to be independent and self sufficient, but we do depend on each other and I don't think that's a bad thing. I'm always working on that perfect balance of husband, friends, home life, work and everything in between. We treat each other with kindness and gratefulness. We do little things all the time to make each other feel special. Most of all we make sure we laugh and have fun together. He is my best friend.

Marriage to me feels relaxed, at ease and happy. Marriage to me is quiet mornings sipping coffee together, holding hands in the car, filling our home with photos and happy memories, dancing around each other in the kitchen perfectly in sync making dinner, sitting at the kitchen table and talking for hours, running through life into the dark and unknown and feeling safe with him at my side. To me, marriage is about trust.

"I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of God. " - from our vows.

To me marriage is about going through life together, hand in hand, with love, grace, happiness and satisfaction along with everything else life brings. The good memories carry you through the tough times.

Us on a ferry boat in Sydney. So in love! Still. And for always.