10 years ago today, I was 23 1/2 years old. I had one and only on child, and he was 5 months old, fat as all get-out, barely crawling and just about weaned. 10 years ago today, I lived in the basement of a friend’s house who also had a new baby, and we were all best friends. 10 years ago today, I still wanted to design sets for plays as my career, still read angsty poetry, still had never touched that thing called the internet. 10 years ago today, I had a full time job in accounting, one that I was really good at and thoroughly enjoyed. 10 years ago today, I was several dress sizes bigger than I am right now, one full shoe size smaller than I am now, and had much shorter hair.
10 years ago today, there was no way I could have imagined my life now, today, in the present. I couldn’t picture my son standing to my shoulders, couldn’t see the other two children yet to come into my life, would never have guessed I would live outside the US, or stay home full time with my kids, have tattoos or a nose ring, be hooked on politics, not really care about religion anymore, have lost both parents or found two new ones. I couldn’t see what a fine man my brother would grow up to be, or dream that he’d have such a great family and beautiful kids of his own. 10 years ago today, I had no real concept of family or unconditional love.
10 years ago today, I put on a new dress and a pair of new shoes, and I became your wife.
It’s never been easy, but no one said it would be. We both are totally, completely, unrecognizably different people today than we were back then. Sure, we more or less look the same; I’ve got a whole lot of extra stretch marks, and you’ve got some gray hair, but the who of who we are, the what of the things we want in life, the why that drives us on every day, none of it remains unchanged. We discovered ourselves over this past decade, and we almost lost each other along the way. We almost gave up, we almost walked away from it all.
Thank you for not walking away.
Thank you for sticking it out with me, even when we’re apart. Thank you for understanding that I have to run when it gets too hard, and that I’ll be back soon. Thank you for all of these kids, who are the greatest gift I’ll ever be given for the rest of my life. Thank you for keeping your sense of humour through all of it, and thank you for still believing in me after I’ve taken away every reason for you to. Thank you for wanting to know me, for seeing good in me when even I can’t find any, for loving me despite myself, for your patience and your kindness and your goodness. Thank you for trying for me. Thank you for wanting to be a better man for me and for our kids. Thank you for every day you sacrifice, going to a job you don’t really like, working more hours every day than I am awake, cleaning golf clubs you may never actually get to use again, all so that I can be home with our kids not getting the laundry done, so that we can have what we need and never have to worry. Thank you for the security that you bring to our family.
Mostly, though, thank you for seeing something in me when I was still too young to see it myself, thank you for hanging around while I looked for it, and thank you for loving me on the other side of this decade though I probably don’t deserve it.
10 years ago today, I walked down a path. The whole way down it, I thought about stepping off, of turning and running, just like I usually do. I didn’t; I stayed, I vowed my life and my heart to you. I took the road less traveled, and that has made all the difference.
Happy 10th Anniversary, baby. I love you, with every little bit of me, forever and ever.
PS: In cased you missed it, last years’ post is right here. The post won’t format and the pictures didn’t move over, but you’ll get the idea.
Missy
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 2:46Happy Anniversary you guys!
Xbox4NappyRash
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 4:11I love you too shugga…
;0)
Happy Anniversary!
Xbox4NappyRashs last blog post..If I may…
Audubon Ron
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 4:36Happy Anniversary.
Ten years from today you will say, “What ever happened to Audubon Ron, may he rest in peace, the pissant.” Ten years from today you will ask your husband, “Do you remember that guy Audubon Ron on my blog?” Ten years from today he will answer you, “Burp.” Ten years from today you will repond, “Yeah, I suppose you’re right.”
calicobebop
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 5:21Happy Anniversary! What a lovely post – where are the pictures!?!? :)
calicobebops last blog post..Hanna Hanna Bo-Banna
CarolynOnline
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 5:58What a nice thing to say to your husband.
CarolynOnlines last blog post..MIL not, I repeat, not Milf.
Neil
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 6:04Happy anniversary!
Mike Marshall
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 6:32Hey Lady………here…..here…..well spoken Bruce! Happy anniversary…..happy anniversary………happy anniversary……………..haaaaaaaaaaappy anniversary! (sung to the tune of something I saw on the Flintstones) Hope you have many, many more! Peace, Mike.
P.S. Notice I didn’t say fuck or shit once?
OhCaptain
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 6:53Happy Anniversary! Tomorrow is our 12th. 12 years is the scotch anniversary, right?
OhCaptains last blog post..She did it! What happened to my baby girl?
ohmommy
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 7:24Happy Anniversary.
ohmommys last blog post..Druken OHmommy emails
Nancy
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 7:29Happy Anniversary
::: cheers :::
Here’s to 10 more.
Nancys last blog post..Those Tickets Had My Name on Them
abunslife
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 7:32You guys rock. It is hard and 10 years is quite an accomplishment! Here’s to 10 more!!
abunslifes last blog post..Aha! Moment
Joe
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 8:06Happy Anniversary Mr. Lady and Donor!
Kristy - Where's My Damn Answer
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 8:56Great post. Happy Anniversary to you both. May you have 10+10+10+10 more wonderful years together.
Latte Mommy
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 8:59*Sniff, sniff*
I’m so glad you guys found your way back to one another. Even if I’m just selfish because it means you live here now. ;)
Latte Mommys last blog post..You’ve Got to Be Kidding Me
One Moms Opinion
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 9:03Happy Anniversary.
One Moms Opinions last blog post..Labor Day Recap
Kate
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 9:47Great. Thanks. Tears in my coffee.
Happy 10th Anniversary! Here’s to many many more years, filled with lots of love and laughter.
Kates last blog post..Making Friends
Darla
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 9:55Happy 10 Years!! :)
Darlas last blog post..T-O-U-C-H-D-O-W-N
apathy lounge
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 10:43Happy Anniversary. I know how you feel. I don’t think I could actually BE married to anyone else. The thought nauseates/frightens me. Kudos to you for making a success story out of one of society’s most unnatural insititutions. Still, I’d love a picture of you guys.
TiVo Junkie
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 10:45That was beautiful! Thanks for sharing and Happy Anniversary!! :)
sherendipity
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 11:00Make me cry again and I’m not reading your blog anymore. I mean it. You can’t make me.
Happy Anniversary, guys. I wish you many, many more.
Turtle
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 11:12hey, I was there! I remember that day! That’s one of the few weddings I have ever attended being that I hate weddings and boycott them whenever possible.
I’m glad you’ve made it this far. :)
Turtles last blog post..Marge meme: Defining moments
patty
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 11:26Best wishes for tens and tens and tens more years together.
pattys last blog post..stop the mommy wars
Linds
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 11:53Happy Anniversary, Mr Lady and Mr Mr Lady!
Wow, I hope someday I have a marriage and partnership like you two do!
Lindss last blog post..Blogging for Awareness: Invisible Chronic Illness Week
BusyDad
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 13:33Happy Aluminum Anniversary to you guys! And hell yeah PBR qualifies. Live it up you crazy kids!
BusyDads last blog post..Smart Ad Execs Choose Cartoon Network
Jeanette/Jenty
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 14:04Happy anniversary!
MommyTime
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 15:59Happy Anniversary! Ours is in two days (7 yrs) — funny, huh? Have a great weekend!
MommyTimes last blog post..Dear Funnel Web Spiders,
Amaelija
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 16:14Awww. You are so pretty. :)
Amaelijas last blog post..Email to my husband
Don Mills Diva
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 16:33Happy anniverary – you are lucky to have each other!
Don Mills Divas last blog post..The Saga of Creepy Whistling Dude Part II – Gumball Rally
Tammy
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 17:20Happy Anniversary! Beautiful post!
Marge
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 17:25“Duhn duhn duhn – another one bites the dust.”
The foil cap on a bottle of rolaids, also aluminum. :)
You have worked so hard for everything you have together. BIG CONGRATULATIONS to you both.
amy
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 19:48Happy Anniversary to you guys! This is one of the best anniversary posts I’ve ever read. But then again, most of your posts are the best that I read!
amys last blog post..Dear Daddy, Vol IV
Gnilleps
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 20:54Wow I love you donor… and your not too bad either Mr. Lady =) I remember that day and never thought we would be here either. To 10 more just like it! (well maybe not “JUST”)
Sandy (Momisodes)
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 21:34Simply beautiful, just like the two of you. Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!!!
Sandy (Momisodes)s last blog post..PH: Strings
Missives From Suburbia
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 22:52Aww… happy anniversary, hon. Congratulations! That man is just as lucky as you are, you know.
Missives From Suburbias last blog post..Things Rattling Around In My Head
Missives From Suburbia
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 22:54Ohhh… I just read last year’s post. You’re reminding me that someday I should tell the story about the fist fight at my wedding. White trash? What?
Missives From Suburbias last blog post..Things Rattling Around In My Head
Just Jamie
Saturday, 6 September, 2008 at 23:15Sheez. That was so damn REAL. And cool. And you kind of made me love my own husband a little more.
Happy Day to you both!
Just Jamies last blog post..How Does This Work?
Kelley
Sunday, 7 September, 2008 at 6:22Beautiful.
Happy Anniversary to both of you.
And you can totally make a hot bra out of Aluminium Foil. RAWR.
Kelleys last blog post..Help a chick out…
WhenSheWorePonytails
Sunday, 7 September, 2008 at 8:05Congrats on ten years! That’s awesome. It’s amazing how ten years can change things. Back then it seemed so long ago. Now it seems like it will be here tomorrow, huh?
sarah
Sunday, 7 September, 2008 at 8:17That brought a little tear to my eye!
Happy aniversary and congrats on 10 years!!!!!
sarahs last blog post..Holy mother of no internet for 2 weeks….
sizzle
Sunday, 7 September, 2008 at 10:49Happy Anniversary to you both! Thanks for helping me believe that marriage can work.
sizzles last blog post..A New Opportunity
Huckdoll
Sunday, 7 September, 2008 at 13:15Oh jeez, I shouldn’t read your blog in my emotional state ;)
Happy anniversary.
tracey
Sunday, 7 September, 2008 at 14:58Happy Anniversary!!
traceys last blog post..Just don’t ask.
jordan
Sunday, 7 September, 2008 at 15:04Happy Anniversary! You give me hope.
DC Urban Dad
Sunday, 7 September, 2008 at 16:18Congrats. My wife and I just celebrated the Ocho. Your man is one lucky dude.
Gettysburg Mom
Sunday, 7 September, 2008 at 17:43Congratulations! Does this mean you get a can of cheap beer for a present? A box of aluminum foil? Are there any good presents made out of aluminum?
Gettysburg Moms last blog post..Not So Photogenic Family…
Darcie
Sunday, 7 September, 2008 at 17:57Happy Anniversary! We’re coming up on our 6th in October. Funny how much we change in such a short period of time. Congratulations. :)
Darcies last blog post..I’m Over It.
Leslie Dillinger
Sunday, 7 September, 2008 at 22:52Happy Anniversary, dude! Lovely post!
Leslie Dillingers last blog post..
Tootsie Farklepants
Sunday, 7 September, 2008 at 23:13I love this! So honest!
Happy Anniversary!
Tootsie Farklepantss last blog post..Official Sunday Business
Maria
Monday, 8 September, 2008 at 7:29This was so sweet. Thank you for sharing it with all of us.
Marias last blog post..smell ya later
Kimmelin
Monday, 8 September, 2008 at 12:57When we celebrated our tenth, a couple who was present for the party we selfishly threw ourselves was coming up on their fifteenth. They told us a story about their own tenth anniversary, which I will now pass onto you:
While out celebrating ten years of marriage and four lovely children, they sat at a table for two in some swanky little restaurant. At the table next to theirs, sat an older couple–easily in their 70′s or 80′s. Somehow the four of them got to talking, and our friends shared with the older couple what their special occasion was.
The older couple smiled at them, and shared that they had just celebrated their fiftieth. Then they offered our friends a golden piece of advice: “The first ten years of marriage are the hardest.” Those are the years you’re learning about each other as a life partner, friend, roommate, parent and more. “After that first ten, it gets easier with every year.”
Andrew and I just celebrated our twelth this summer. Life is still challenging…it’d be boring if it wasn’t…but I think that old man and woman were right. It does get easier…and more lovely every year.
Congrats to you both! (Why don’t you treat yourself to a little Guiness and pass on the PBR…you’d still be in keeping with the aluminium rule!)
Kimmelins last blog post..Lego Cross Dressers?