Kicking cancer's ass - day 2577

 

Nineteen years ago today, October 15^th, Hubby and I went to the courthouse and got married.  It was just us and the JP.  We said the classic marriage vows, exchanged rings and a kiss.  It took about fifteen minutes, then we went out to lunch.  Simple and honest.  That day would set the tone for our life together. 

He is my favorite, my best friend, my rock.  He teases me and makes me laugh and holds me when I cry.  He gives the best shoulder rubs.  He puts up with my OCD and my crazy dog.  He’s the best dad to our kids and the best guy to have at your back when you need something.  He lets me load the dishwasher because he knows I'll just rearrange it anyway.  He always washes the egg pan.  He's my pool guy, my RV repair guy, my scorpion killer, my lawn guy, and my boss (at work... ha ha).  I always joke that it's "all about me", but for him, it is.  He always puts me first.

Nineteen seems like such an... insignificant... number.  I mean, eighteen seemed like a milestone last year.  Next year, twenty WILL be a milestone!  But for me, for us, nineteen *is* a milestone.  Every year that we beat the odds and continue to live happily (and healthy!) is a milestone.

We “met” online almost 21 years ago.  I was 26, lurking in a chat room for 30-somethings.  He lied about his name (ahem “Adam”).  Conversations online led to emails which led to phone calls (and huge phone bills!)  which eventually led to meeting in person six months later.   Despite his mom telling him to “call it off!”, he got on a plane to South Carolina.  Love took hold and we’ve never looked back.  Our first “date” was at a Waffle House at 2am after I picked him up at the airport.  I introduced him to the ocean and he brought me to Texas. 

Just like any other love story, ours has its share of ups and downs.  We’ve lost friends and siblings and even his mom.  We lost babies (see below).  We went through CANCER.   I honestly don't know how I would have gotten through the last two decades without him by my side.  As much as we’ve leaned on each other in the tough times, we’ve laughed and loved through a lot of good times.   Raising kids, going to football games, casino trips, softball tournaments, weddings, band concerts, lunch dates after many, many doctor appointments, road trips, Netflix binges, evenings out by the pool – everything has been better with him by my side. 

 

I’m a night owl.  He turns into a pumpkin at 10pm.  I’m a neat freak.  He’s.... not.  I’m an emotional mess most of the time.  He’s a stoic realist.  I worry about everything.  He only worries about the important things.  I'm a spender, he's a saver.  I drive fast, I call him a grandpa driver.  I'm a reader, he's a tv-watcher.  Somehow it all works.  My hubby is the ultimate responsible family man, and his unconditional love for me is one of the greatest blessings of my life.

 Happy Anniversary to us! 

 

October 15th is also Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

This is another "1 in 8" that I didn't really ever want to be a part of.  

Hubby and I have two angel babies in heaven.... babies that we never got to see or hold, never got to name, never even got to hear their heartbeat.  But they were babies we loved and grieved for.  Today, in addition to celebrating our love, I also want to remember the little lives we didn't get to meet.  Hugs to anyone who has experienced this.  It's not often talked about.  It's devastating.  Life goes on, but I haven't forgotten.  We are so blessed that God chose us to be parents to our children..... but I'll never forget what might have been.

Last but not least, today is my dear friend Allyson's birthday in heaven.  Not a day goes by where I don't think of her.  Her picture hangs on my fridge so her sweet face is one of the first things I see every day.  She left her mark on this world, especially me.  I miss her friendship, her laugh, her silly songs, her inspiring faith.... I miss her.  Happy Birthday, friend.