5 Years

Today Alex and I have been married for 5 whole years. He is no longer my shiny new husband as he was in 2005, but my smells-like-new, low mileage but has some dings here and there husband. I thought I would take this time to note 5 things I have learned leading up to our wooden anniversary.

1. The first year of marriage was harder than any year yet. The first year of marriage WITH a child is really, really hard. But still not harder than the first year. i can not imagine having a baby during that first year. I take my hat off to people who do that. Or send them on the crazy train. I didn't really know it at the time, but looking back I can see the adjustments and compromises that we just didn't see coming (what do you mean he gets to leave his shoes in the bedroom just because it is HIS bedroom now too? oh the horror!)

2. It is really important to have TWO parents. Vitally important. One parent is just not cutting the mustard. Things like the below happen. Which is why I am thrilled to say that as of yesterday Zach will have both parents at home in evenings! Alex has left his job/abondonment of his family at RBC to take one with Rosetta Resources (not to be confused with the Stone. He is not teaching anyone Madarin). Yipee for all of us!

3. I love seeing my husband with my child. I love seeing the way Alex holds him and talks to him but especially the joy that it brings Alex when he teaches Zachary to do something. Even push a button or pretend to dribble a ball. They both look so proud.

4. All those vacations we took before we had Zach were 100% worth it. I am so grateful that we flew off overseas and to the Carribean and did all that fun stuff that non-parents can do.

5. Being married for five years makes me feel like you can make it for the long haul. I mean, hey, five years is nothing to scoff at. Not like 35 years, which both my parents and Alex's parents reached this year. But that just gives us something to aim for.