A Dozen Years and Still Going Strong

Yes, today Shawn and I celebrate 12 years of wedded bliss. Well, at least the 12 years is accurate. Has it all been blissful? Not hardly. But we made it through and are stronger than ever.

Kids. That's what we were on January 4th 1997. Two kids desperately in love. But kids all the same. Both 20 at the time, we were married a bit young by today's standards. But I guess when it is right, it's just right. We had a lot of growing up to do, and we chose to do it together. We aren't the people now that we were then. And fortunately over the years, we grew closer and not further apart as many couples do. I'd say it was our struggles (loss of parents, difficult finances, infertility, adoption, etc) that drew us closer, but I think life's challenges only magnify what is already there, the good or the bad. Shawn is my soulmate. I have no doubt. I will love him until the day I die.

This past week I have witnessed a lot of grieving. From friends, my husband, my daughter. But none was harder to watch than from my mother-in-law. As we all gathered around the casket, each grieved. But as I watched my mother-in-law stroke his hand good-bye, my heart broke in a million pieces. I cannot imagine her pain. Her loneliness. All I could think was that if it were Shawn lying there, it would take everything in my power not to crawl in with him.

Shawn, I love you more than words could ever tell. For the father, husband, and friend that you are. You truly are everything to me.

And in the words of Shania Twain, "looks like we made it"!