Hey friends.

Mark and my’s (mine’s…whatever) anniversary is coming up this month. Woo hoo!

Two years since our big wedding. Three years since our dining room wedding. Both were magical and everything I ever wanted.

And truth be told, I never thought I’d get married. In fact, I was the friend in all my friend groups that had the crazy dating stories. My entire dating life was a “do it for the plot” experience.

I wasted a lot of time. Well, I don’t know that I’d call it a waste of time. I learned a lot. And eventually I got tired and decided to just be single. That’s when Mark and I started up again, after I’d had two years of just being on my own.

I could have never guessed this outcome. I truly believed that I was going to be a teacher living in my one bedroom apartment with my cat for the rest of my life. But the universe is funny like that. And, honestly, I loved that life as much as I love this one.

That apartment was a little slice of heaven. It was mine. Independence. A retreat. I made that life run, and there’s power for me in the memories I made during those seven years. There’s power in knowing that I can take care of myself. That’s a power I think all women (and men) should have.

And when Mark and I got back together (because we dated once before for a year when we were just graduated from college), I was ready for him. He is such an incredible guy, truly. I always tell him that the world would be a much better place if there were more people like him in it.

His heart is so good. His moral compass, his humor, his kindness, and loyalty, he’s an amazing friend and an amazing husband.

It’s kind of like you appreciate how wonderful happiness is because you know the other emotions? That’s how this is for me. I dated. A LOT. I know what is out there, and I know that what I have is gold.

But I never thought I’d have this.

But I am so grateful that I do.

And I can only hope that the rest of this lifetime with him is as good as the last three years have been.

Until next time, friends.