TEN YEARS!!! Right around this time ten years ago, we were kneeling across the altar from each other, making the most important promises we would ever make in this life.I look back on that day and can’t help feeling like we were just babies getting married. At 21, we were definitely young, but we felt strongly that we were meant to be together. Surely, some people thought we were crazy for getting married so fast (and maybe we were a little), but we followed our hearts, put in the work, and we’ve truly had a wonderful decade, full of so many memories and so much growth.

Now, I can see that the plan was so much bigger than just the two of us. Each of these baby girls was meant to come to our little family exactly when they did. I’m always grateful to be working together in our roles as parents. My weaknesses are Michael’s strengths. I can only hope that the girls will grow up to be well-rounded as a result of our complimentary personalities.

I’d say the bigger picture includes each side of our extended families, too. It seems like we were all meant to be in each other’s lives, supporting and loving one another. When I chose Michael, I was also very blessed with amazing in-laws: parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and cousins who accepted me as their own.
Michael is probably the most patient, kind, and caring man I’ve ever met. He’s stood by me while I’ve figured out who I am. He’s loved me even when I didn’t love myself.He’s watched our daughters come into the world, and hearing him cheer me on as I labored is something I’ll never forget. He’s at every finish line of every single one of my races, with an armful of our babies, ready to take pictures and then listen to me talk about running for hours on end because he knows how important it is to me. He sacrifices so much for me and the girls, and even though this whole motherhood thing can be really hard, he definitely does the best he can to make it easier for me.

One of the best things he always says to me is, “Have fun.” He’ll say it as I’m walking out the door to go to a social event I’m nervous about, or even just as I’m headed out for a run. In all my anxiousness over the little things in life, his simple statement helps me remember that not everything has to be so serious.

I sometimes feel like I’ve grown so much since we married that I’m not even the same person, but Michael reassures me that he’d marry me over and over again. He, on the other hand, hasn’t seemed to change so much at all. He definitely keeps me laughing, which is something I truly need.I love this crazy family we created. I can only hope for many more fun adventures ahead. Ten years have somehow flown by and seemed so full all at the same time.Happy 10th Anniversary, Best Friend! My heart is full of gratitude and love, and my eyes are full of tears after writing this. I love you!