Updated: Oct. 7, 2017
Originally Published: Jan. 29, 2016
Nine years ago, I embarked on an incredible journey with my amazing husband. Looking back, those years have been filled with some of the most joyful moments of my life. We’ve welcomed three children, traveled far and wide, experienced family changes, faced heartbreaking losses, moved homes three times, and indulged in more takeout curry and binge-watching reality TV than I care to remember.
The memory of that special day stands out vividly in my mind—a celebration overflowing with love, laughter, and cherished family and friends. My parents took the lead in planning, while my husband, who had never been to a wedding before, walked around in a daze (thanks to an unexpected bachelor party the night before). He shouted his vows out of nervousness, while I couldn’t help but sob through mine.
When I glance at our wedding photos, I feel a mix of emotions. Sure, I’ve had three children, and seeing those younger, slimmer versions of us can be a bit disheartening. However, it’s the absence of loved ones in those images that tugs at my heart—the grandparents who celebrated with us, like my grandmother, who shared how beautiful I looked but lamented the absence of “Our Emma.” And then there’s my husband’s mom, radiant in her hat, the price of which I’ve sworn to keep a secret (mostly because I can’t remember it clearly, likely due to the wine we enjoyed during our shopping trip).
These missing faces inspire me to savor every moment, even when exhaustion hits before the day truly begins. Life seemed simpler back then; I thought I had it all figured out—marriage, parenting, everything.
The night before I said “I do,” I was back in my childhood home with my parents, enjoying our traditional viewing of The Muppet Christmas Carol. As I prepared to sleep in my sister’s room (the same place I sought comfort during storms in my youth), my mom handed me my something old: her mother’s engagement ring. She said, “You think you love him more than anything right now, but just wait until the shine wears off and those special days fade into memory. Then you’ll truly know what love is.” My sister and I exchanged glances at our dad, who was balancing a mug on his chin while trying to sing, and we burst into laughter.
As the years have gone by, her words resonate more deeply with me (minus the sock-and-mug act). To my husband, here’s a reaffirmation of our vows:
To Have and To Hold
Do you remember when we used to hold hands wherever we went? Those evenings spent curled up on the couch? Me neither. Right now, you’re pretending to be asleep while a four-year-old sprawls between us like a starfish, a two-year-old bouncing on my stomach, and a six-year-old narrating his FIFA match from the armchair. To have and to hold? I can’t even reach you!
For Better or Worse
We’ve experienced plenty of joyful moments, along with some challenging ones that life has thrown our way. And no, I’m not just talking about my cooking! The joyful days have been a delight to share, even if your “photo face” ruins every picture (trust me, it’s a thing).
Some of our toughest days have been unimaginable losses, where words fail. Yet, those trying times shape who we are—moments when you’ve lifted me up, made me laugh, and supported me, even when you were struggling yourself. Please don’t ever change, even if it means I roll my eyes sometimes. I couldn’t imagine it any other way.
In Sickness and in Health
I’ve lost count of the times you’ve made me laugh in awkward medical situations, from antenatal visits to holding my hair back during rough patches. I still vividly recall the Great Chicken Pox of 2007, the Hand Foot and Mouth Outbreak of 2006, and the time I fell in the shower and literally ended up down the toilet. You’ve been my rock through illnesses, despite your sometimes misguided assessments (like the time you thought a cold was just a sniffle). You’re my perfect counterpart, my Rose DeWitt Bukater to my Jack Dawson—though you’d definitely be the one claiming the raft!
Until Death Do Us Part
We’ve established a pact: if you go first, I get a week in my chosen destination and vice versa. No dilly-dallying; we’ll face it bravely for the kids. After that, I expect you to start looking for my replacement while I redecorate and figure out how to get Chris Martin from Coldplay to move in.
And yes, I know if I don’t stop leaving teabags by the sink, this may happen sooner than I think.
Happy anniversary, my love. And, unsurprisingly, my mother was right—again.
If this resonated with you, check out our other blog post on understanding love and relationships here. For those considering at-home insemination options, you can find reputable kits at Cryobaby’s online store, and for more information on intrauterine insemination, visit this helpful resource on the NHS website.
In summary, love evolves and deepens through shared experiences, challenges, and the simple act of being there for one another. It’s about the little moments that weave the fabric of a life spent together, teaching us the true meaning of love as time goes on.
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