11 years and counting...

It's been a good 11 years of marriage for me and Joe. We actually still like each other, have built up some good memories, and really look forward to our future together.

I'm pretty lucky that Joe is such a good guy. He loves me without question, places God first in our relationship, knows how to say sorry, and even does the laundry sometimes.  His priorities are just.....right. I love that. It makes me feel safe and confident.

When we woke up this morning, we rolled into our cuddling position and started chatting about the past 11 years.
"What are your favorite memories?," I asked.
"The times we spent up in the Northstar Lounge, having drinks and looking out over Lake Superior...the times we spent in our house in Marquette...and, of course, our great vacations," he said.
"I've really loved our car rides," I said, "because those are the times we've had our best conversations."
We decided to get Jack on a ride home from Christmas, Michigan. We made the decision for Joe to head to Iraq in the car. We've given all of our potential children their names while we were on one road trip or another. In the car, we dream together. Maybe that is why we drive any time we can.

Over the last 11 years we've learned how to be strong when we can't physically be together and how to pick right back up where we left off when Joe is actually home. The demanding Coast Guard life we've lived hasn't squelched our feelings for one another. Even better - every time he comes home from being away we go through a few magical weeks of "the honeymoon stage". I wish every couple could have that. It's the best fire kindle ever.

We've changed quite a lot over the years and so has our marriage. We've never changed our focus, though.....God and our faith as the center of our relationship. On the inside of our wedding bands, we had the words 1 Cor. 13:4-8 inscribed so we would always remember what the meaning of our love is.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

This is not an easy kind of love to have. It involves a lot of giving and a desire to put someone else's needs completely before your own. The situations this type of love produces are absolutely beautiful, though, and it is worth working at.

I'm excited to see what the next year, the next five years, and the next thirty years will bring. I can't imagine being any closer to Joe, but I've said the same thing every year and somehow we still keep getting stronger. It's an amazing thing.

I love you, Joe. Thank you for your dedication to us.