Today is our ELEVENTH wedding anniversary (and marks 16 years we’ve been together).
We met when we were super young, and have stuck together through some crazy times.
Today I am so proud of us.
So proud of the kids who pledged their love and lives to each other on April 26th, 2008.
So proud that we have grown up together, and grown a family in the process.
So proud of the people we have become.
Most important, though, I am so very proud of the resilience of our marriage.
Yes, resilience.
Not long after we were married, we experienced the our first pregnancy loss of our 18 week pregnancy. This loss was great and took a huge toll on our marriage. Not long after, we separated for 6 months….I went so far as to sign divorce papers.
He would not sign them, and he truly saved this marriage.
Not long after we found ourselves pregnant again.
…and heartbreak found us again.
This time, we lost our stillborn son Max at more than 8 months into the pregnancy.
This may sound crazy – but before we went into the hospital to deliver our beautiful sleeping boy, Max, we made a pact in the car to not let the loss of our son tear us apart us as our first pregnancy loss did. We had learned from the near failure of our marriage, and we were able to navigate the murky, deep, treacherous waters of losing a child without losing each other again. I don’t wish anyone this same journey, but this process has helped to shape us into the people we are today.
Our marriage has truly been put to the test over the past 4,015 days.
Thankfully, we had the courage to continue to try to have a family and we now have our three beautiful boys.
Resilience.
Resilience is a process. It takes time, and work, and dedication to bounce back after extreme stress.
Our marriage is far from perfect, but I am so thankful to have been given the gift of this beautiful man by my side. Someone who has been willing to put in the work for me, us, our marriage, and family… and eternally grateful that he has made me into the strong and resilient woman I am today.
Happy Anniversary, my love.