When I was 15 I remember someone asking me what I hoped for in a husband. I said I wanted someone who would love me without conditions. I wanted to be with someone who would welcome and encourage my personal growth, and would be okay with my transformations. I wanted someone who would continually challenge me to be my best self and wouldn't hinder me from evolving- perhaps into someone different than the person he married (albeit as long as that evolution did not involve me living in a halfway house smoking crack).
At 23 years old I met this man. Four months later we were engaged- hey he was 38 years old, his shelf life was very near his expiration date and he knew he had to finally make a move. Of course we didn't get married right away- we shacked up in sin for a little over a year- of course only after he “put a ring on it”. My mother called him a Svengali– but always a lover of older men I was smitten. He was ready to share his life with me, on every level- and being with him felt like home.
That is not to say these past 18 years of marriage have been without several lamps being hurled, a few nights spent on a couch, and yes even a few times the D word has been uttered. But somehow- each time I felt on the brink and ready to dissolve our partnership, something about this man pulled me back in.
Really how can one quantify all the reasons we love the person we stay married to. I guess for me it's his resolve to love me with abandon- to stick with me, when I can barely stand myself, to honor those vows we took 18 years ago- despite the days when it seems like it would be so much easier to just quit. And of course I think what really keeps me tethered to this man is that he is my best friend- and I could sit in a cardboard box with him (or four hours of traffic) and even after 18 years we still find some way to laugh and connect.
Happy 18th anniversary to this man I am blessed to call my husband- I love you with everything I have.
Happy Anniversary! 18 years is a long time now, Your husband seems like a wonderful man and you are very lucky to have him. Enjoy your day!
Happy Anniversary! 18 years is a long time now. We will be celebrating 25 on the 18th. Your husband sounds like a wonderful man and he is lucky to have you.
Happy Anniversary! I love that you share the truth of marriage it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. But being to your best friend does really help. Congratulations on 18 years!
Happy Anniversary! Marriage is full of highs and lows but if it is worth the fight then you go for it!
Happy 18th anniversary! Time really does fly by when you are married to your best friend.
Aw happy anniversary and wish you many more to come! Love is an amazing thing. Every relationship has hardships, but you just have to find the one worth fighting for!
How amazing! I love to hear a couples journey! We are coming up on 10 years of marriage and it is such a great feeling to have pride in our marriage and what we have built together. Happy Anniversary!
That is so amazing !!! Happy Anniversary and it’s so good when we find that one special person to spend the rest of the life with.
Happy Anni! 18 years is wonderful 🙂
It’s even better when you’re still in love. I am with my beau for 15 yrs and it still feels like we’re 20 🙂