8 years and 4 children later ...

We celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary yesterday. Has it really been 8 years? Has it *only* been 8?! LOL! That January day eight years ago seem so distant, like it was from another lifetime. It feels so long ago - but not in a bad way though. It's just that so many things have happened already. Well, for one, 4 kids happened! LOL!
Seriously, looking back at the past 8 years, I feel that we have grown so much as a couple and as individuals. We had to adjust to so many things at once, it seemed.
1. We had to adjust to each other. It was a long-distance relationship for us so to be living together was quite a radical change. Sometimes, the quirks that one finds cute in the other can become annoyances when you have to deal with them every single day.
2. Changes in our lifestyles. He was an independent single man since he was 18. I had been living with my parents since birth. Put us together and there were bound to have some clashes, compromises and a lot of opportunity for humility!
3. Pregnancy and baby came earlier than we had planned. Amidst learning to be a married couple, we had to deal with hormones and then a new individual ... and another ... and another ... and another.

It would have overwhelmed us and gotten the better of us had we not had God in our lives.

DH and I are both committed to each other and to this marriage. I don't think determination is enough. There had got to be something else to hold the marriage together. When I feel like letting go, God clasps my hand and keeps me hanging on. When in anger, I just want to close my eyes and stand my ground, God stirs in my heart the love that He had given us and I see my husband as the good man that he is and not the jerk that he can sometimes be. No, I do not think I would have personally survived the eight years if not for God's grace. That we are still together, very much in love with each other is testament to God's abiding grace.

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

I pray that we continue to be sustained by the grace of God. Our lives have only just begun. We have so many years more together - opportunities to be the face of God to each other.

2 comments:

DigiscrapMom | Wednesday, January 30, 2008 3:36:00 PM

Belated happy anniversary! Just like any other married couple, you have your ups and downs and I've been witness to that (at least from the entries where you talked about it). But you really managed the relationship pretty well.

I just want you to know that you will always be an inspiration to me - in everything about family, motherhood and being a wife. I wish you and Dex all the best and more years to come. You're both blessed to have each other.

*hugs*

Anonymous | Wednesday, January 30, 2008 7:58:00 PM

Happy anniversary! Wow, 8 years! That is quite an accomplishment anymore! I hope your marriage continues to grow and be blessed!