10 years

This week, James and I will celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary.  Somehow, 10 years of marriage have passed in a blink of an eye.

10 years ago we celebrated our love with a beautiful wedding.  I had the fluffy white dress, a bouquet of my favourite flowers, a sparkly ring, a first dance, a beautifully frosted cake, and smiled so much my face ached the next day.  It was a beautiful day and I remember it like it was just yesterday.   At the time I thought to myself, "this is the best day of my life".  I married my best-friend.  How lucky am I?   But you know what? The best was yet to come.  That hot day in August was near perfection, but that is not what I want to celebrate this week.

James and I have been a team for 10 years.  That's a whole decade!    In 10 years we have owned 2 houses, maybe 5 different vehicles.  We've had many, many different jobs. We've created 3 beautiful children.  In short, we have been busy.

10 years ago I was consumed with details of our ceremony, the flower arrangements and the wedding meal. Silly me. I thought these were the details that mattered.  I somehow had this immature, deluded view that serving beef over chicken would matter???  Turns out, no one remembers what we ate that night.  I barely remember.  What I have now is 10 years worth of details, moments and memories that REALLY matter.

I remember the way James looked at me when I walked down the aisle. More clearly though, I remember the way he looked at me as he supported me through each contraction as I delivered all 3 of our children.  I remember how handsome he looked in that tuxedo.  He also looks equally handsome when he's in his pj's lying on our living room floor playing lego or tinkertoys with our kids.   The wedding ring he put on my finger is still shiny and beautiful, but over the years he has gifted me with many other precious things that don't fit in a tiny, velvet-lined box.  He's given me unconditional love, support and friendship.  He's given me laughter.  He's given me a beautiful life.

So James, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very happy 10th wedding anniversary.  It's been an exciting decade together, and I look forward to many, many more years of wedded bliss with you!

I love you!

p.s.That jack-daniels chicken was pretty tasty though, wasn't it??