Number Eight

Today is the eighth anniversary of my marriage to Bill.



It's hard to believe it's been eight years since we were married. It's hard to believe it hasn't been more.



I guess it's safe to say that eight years ago, on this day, we had no idea what would be in store for us. We only had dreams. And though some of the details didn't pan out as we would have expected, the general theme did: we're in it for good and for the good of us both. For better or for worse. In sickness and in health. For richer or for poorer.

In honor of the last eight years, here's a little breakdown:



For better:

• We've traveled for fun.


• We've laughed alot.


• We've been devoted jays basketball fans together.


• We bought our first house.


• We moved out of our first house.


• We built a house.


• We've made a home.


• We've had four beautiful children.


• We've celebrated Christmases, New Year's Days, Valentine's Days, St. Patrick's Days, Fourth of Julys, Easters and Thanksgivings. That's a lot of memories.


• We've lived and loved.

For Worse:

• We've dented bumpers and hit city buses.


• We've traded shifts for taking care of colicky babies.


• We've cleaned up spit-up, poo poo and vomit.


• He cleans up my crumbs, I pick up his hangers.

For poorer:

• We've paid for daycare, diapers, and prosthetic eyes.


• College is yet to come.

In sickness:

• We've nutured each other through headaches, the stomach flu, and colds.


• I helped him through surgery for varicose veins, he helped me through two pregnancies and two C-sections.


• We traveled the journey of the NICU as only two parents could travel it together. That it itself is enough sickness for two lifetimes.


• We buried Sam.


• We buried Hannah.


• He was with me when Grandma and Grandpa died, loving them as he knew I did.


• We've been there together for Camille as she battled in the NICU.


• We've conquered words like, "IVH, ROP, cataracts, glaucoma, enucleation, and seizures."
  

In health:

• We were with Camille as she rallied in the NICU and came home.
• We truly appreciate what it means to be healthy. Free of pain. Happy and feeling well.
  

I think it is safe to say that we've been through the extremes more than most couples, but still not as much as some.



And though even our anniversary can't be devoid of tears, anguish, stress and headaches due to events out of our control, I would only choose Bill to travel with on this journey.

And speaking of tears, anguish, stress and headaches, I am seriously thinking of adding a new award to my blog stream to go right along with "People along the Way" (the good people version). My new version would be the "Mean nasty people along the way who are a menace to society and create unnecessary havoc and frustration in the lives of others" award. Though it would be quite contrary to the mission and general theme of my blog, it sure would be liberating to send the recipient an email with the link.

I'd better sleep on that one.

P.S. Just to clarify, Bill is NOT the person I have in mind for the recipient of my new award! :) And neither are any of you who might be reading this.

Okay, goodnight.