4 years!

Today is Johnny and I's 4 year anniversary. Wow, how time flies! It seems like yesterday when we met and fell in love. I have an overwhelming sense of happiness as I reflect over the last four years. As most of you know, I went through a rough patch in my life in the time before I met Johnny. First divorce, then Katrina, then losing Patrick. I wasn't sure if it was ever meant for me to have happiness in my life. Then, when I wasn't looking, I met Johnny, this cute guy in a bar with about as much history as me! When I first met him, I could have never imagined what life had in store for me. We have been inseparable since the day we met.

I have learned many things in my four years of marriage. For those of you who have been married for 30 plus years, 4 years probably seems like a drop in the bucket. But given my past history of marriage, 4 years is quite an accomplishment! Haha! Here is what I have come to know.

1. Life is what you make it. I choose to be happy; therefore I am! Why sweat the small things? Life is too short for that.

2. Not everyday is sunshine and roses. Being committed to someone sometimes involves working through tough times. But the good thing about that is that you always come out stronger on the other side.

3. Babies change everything! I always heard that... but now I know. But the change is for the better, of course. Having Riley is certainly at the top of my list for the best thing I've ever done.

For all those seasoned marriage and family "professionals", you probably snicker at my list of things learned thinking, "I told ya so!" Yes mom, you ARE always right! But for this small list of things that seem so simple to some, it has been a lifetime journey for me to come to these realizations. Yes! I AM happy! Which leads me to say thank you....

Thank you to my mom and dad for being the best role models of what a good spouse and parent should be. And thank you to my perfect (well, almost perfect) little family! Skylar continues to amaze me as she grows in leaps and bounds while developing into a beautiful little girl. Thanks to Riley for keeping her mommy on her toes (she never sits down!) and showing me the true meaning of unconditional love. But thank you mostly to my hubby, the person who is my best friend. He has chosen to take this wild ride with me far into the future! He has shown me that

being yourself is the only way to be and that pleasing yourself is more important than pleasing anyone else. We are a couple of weirdos who have fun together, stress together, laugh together, and cry together. We are the true meaning of "opposites attract" which keeps our lives very interesting and I would not have it any other way! It is a great thing to be in love.

Well, I bet you are wondering why I am gushing? No, this is not a suicide note or a farewell letter, but just an opportunity to share my feelings. I don't often take the time to stop and reflect on life. But when I think of myself and how far I have come, I can't help but gush. Maybe being 30 has given me clarity? If that's the case, I will be a genious by age 40! So, Happy Anniversary to me and my hubby. Woohoo!!