I just call you, mine.

A year ago today, while very emotional, very happy, very anxious, very excited and very much in love- I was not nervous. In fact, I couldn't wait to see Rob standing at the end of the aisle. I couldn't wait for him to see me in my dress. The dress I had ordered almost a year prior to the day that was upon us. I couldn't wait to get down that aisle and slide my arm through his as my grandfather married us before our beloved family and friends.

I couldn't wait to be married to him. To live the rest of our lives together and to walk the journey that He takes us down with Rob by my side.

A year later I am even more anxious to walk this journey with him. As I look back on the hills and valleys of our first year, it looks more like the Grand Canyon. And honestly, it has felt that way at many, many times. Our first year has brought many trials to us. Many times I thought to myself "this isn't fair...we should have been able to prepare more for these things that we knew could possibly happen to us- but we didn't think they would happen to us so soon after being married." It's again that naive way of thinking that we should be able to put on our armor before life begins throwing it's curve balls. But life doesn't work that way. I have always known that- but seemed to think at some point I would be better prepared for what it threw. I have learned very quickly that the minute you think you have a grip...here comes another 90 mph curveball headed straight to ya. Whether it's something smaller like an appliance breaking and needing replacing or something bigger such as an 8-months of being unemployed due to a layoff in February.....those things in life happen and you just don't have the luxury of controlling them. You can choose to walk through those storms and know that there is sunshine after the rain (and sometimes that sun is brief), or you can allow them to beat you down, make you feel as though you are drowning, and often times make you question if you want to continue down this path or look for the closest fork in your road. I can tell you that no matter the length or severity of the storm, I want to walk it with my Husband. I want to battle those with him. We have trudged through this past year while being AMAZED at the way we have been blessed and provided for in so many ways, and we know He was watching us all the way. He was taking care of us and asking us to follow Him.

I look forward to our future. I look forward to what it brings. I look forward to the long path that I see ahead of us. And all the while, as I look over my shoulder just to see the milestones we passed, and the view behind us- I don't focus there. It is a great reminder of the things we battled through and each of those things allowed us another piece of armor. We will never be fully protected- but I do believe we can take the lessons learned from every single joy and sorrow and know that God doesn't take us to a place that he can't pull us through with His grace.

I am so blessed.

Sweet Rob,
I love you more than words can say. There are so many times where we are able to know what the other is thinking or feeling without having to say a word. I am blessed to be married to someone so driven, so intelligent, so loving and so determined. I can only hope I bring half the joy to your life, that you bring to mine. Happy 1st Anniversary my precious Husband, and I look forward to 80 more =)
All my love,
Your Wife

(fyi- there is music to the slideshow if you turn on your volume)

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