4 Years

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

A few weeks ago RJ and I celebrated our 4th anniversary (and his 27th birthday). On one hand I can't believe it's been four years since Bryan married us at the Dana Power's house, but on the other hand I feel as though we've been married forever - I can't remember what it was like not to wake up to this man everyday.

I remember a few weeks before RJ and I got hitched I asked my mom a question. "Mom, everyone always says that marriage is hard, but no one every really explains why. Why is it so hard? And if it's so hard why does everyone want to get married?" Obviously a long, philosophical discussion followed, but it's one of those things you can't really explain until you take the leap of faith and do it.

It's hard b/c you're two people who are trying to meld into one. It's hard b/c marriage is a Godly union and the Enemy is continually trying to destroy what is Good and Holy. It's hard b/c we are sinful people who are imperfect, flawed, emotional, stubborn, etc.

BUT it is so good. It's good b/c God created marriage. It is good b/c the Lord wants to bless marriages. It is good b/c a strand of three cords is not easily broken. It is good b/c you have a best friend holding your hand along all of lifes twists and turns. The good SO outweights the hard.

So thanks babe, for four wonderful years! Here are some of my favorite Good moments:

Year One - We were college students (can you believe our awesome parents supported our marriage while we were still finishing school...looking back on it I'm pretty suprised they did that!) and although we were married, most of the "college rules" still applied. Which is why I would get waken up 3-4 times a week by a crowd of young, eager surfers running into my house. Trevor, John and Chris would wake us up and raided our cabinets for food. Then you boys would head to the surf reminding me to go to the store so I could whip up 4 omelets and some bacon when you returned. It was so fun still living the college life without any roommate drama or living in a house with too many people and not enough bathrooms. Year one was such an adventure.

Year Two - Transition year as we moved to Ventura and started big-girl and big-boy jobs. I love looking back on our teeny-tiny apartment and our meager income (Subway sandwhiches for date night!) and seeing where the Lord has taken us. BUT my favorite memory from year two is the one that kicked it off. It is so awesome that we spend our first wedding anniversary sleeping in a bunk bed in "hotel" room that cost $6 per night. We were in Costa Rica and it was the start of our nearly 3 month trip. That trip created a lifetime of memories.

Year Three - The year we did Thanksgiving. Growing up Thanksgiving was always a big affair at my house. It was mandatory that entire family gathered together, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and we ate a big homemade feast. It was so exciting to host Thanksgiving for the first time. Thankfully we were out of the little apartment and into our duplex, although it was still squished in the kitchen with you Dad making "sauce", you carving turkey, my mom pitching in with the stuffing, and me just barking orders, hovering and not really getting anything done.

Year Four - All grown-up. Buying our house! After three years to talking. two years of searching, countless offers, many prayers, too many family budget meetings, we final got our place. It may have a stained glass door, wallpaper from 1953, the largest old-school TV antenna in the neighborhood, and the original kitchen sink, but it's ours. And the day we walking through the property praying over it, kneeling in the living room and laying our hands on the walls etching into my mind forever.

Year Five - We're only a few days in but I have a feeling this year is going to be full of wonderful moments too - big and small!

ily


6 comments:

Bethany said...

Hi Anna! It is so great to hear how you & Rj are doing. The Lord is so amazing and marriage is definitely one of HIS best blessings! It is encouraging to hear what God is teaching you guys!

Dallas Amsden said...

We love you guys!

The Harper Family said...

Happy Anniversary! In four years you've done a lot...when you said " Big and Little" things in the 5th year, did the little mean a baby?

2wildtrout said...

baby cakes.
I couldn't imagine what life would be without you. you are my everything. I love you.

Linda Z said...

I remember your wedding day with the surfer cake and friends in flip flops! :) Has it already been 4 years??

Happy Anniversary! You did a great job summing up the hard and good of marriage! May the Lord bring you many blessings in the year to come.

Sherry said...

Hey girl, congratulations! Wow, since our last conversation... obviously God did some work in someone's heart! So excited for you.
I can hardly believe it was 4 years ago that we were at the Dana Powers House for your big day! I have a lasting impression of my girls getting into the mud in their adorable flower girl dresses and the woman who owns the place having to pull out the baby wipes to clean their cute little sandals... all before the wedding! I am not even sure if you knew this took place!

Love you and miss you!
~Sherry

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