Where Has The Time Gone?

On August 24 Dan and I will have been married for 21 years.  I was married when I was 21, so that means that I have been married as long as I was single.  I seem to celebrate or acknowledge different anniversaries.  We didn't really celebrate our 10th, but our 18th was an important one for me cause my Mom and Dad didn't make their 18th anniversary; 20th year came and went, but this one has caused me to reflect.  I don't know if everyone gets wedding jitters, but I had my doubts.  I thought that I loved Dan, but mostly I knew that he loved me and I didn't think anyone else would so that was good enough for me!  Over the last 21 years, I have learned what love is and what love does; and most of that I've learned from Dan.  I don't think that I am an expert, but let me share what I have learned with you.

1. Love is supportive
Dan has supported me through depression, bulimia, and low self-esteem.  He has supported my religious convictions, parenting styles, decorating schemes and he has even supported my recipe disasters!  I know that I can always count on him.

2. Love is kind
I don't think that Dan has ever said an unkind word to me (he may have thought it), but he has never said it.  I know that there have been times when I've made him mad, but he has NEVER done or said anything to me that was unkind.  He lives the motto: "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all".  Because of this, there have been moments when we haven't said anything to each other, but those have been few and far between and are quickly sorted out.

3.  Love is fun (and sometimes funny)
If you can't have fun with the one you love-what are you doing with that person?  We have fun together and have had some funny things happen to us.

4. Love is listening
I'm kind of a talker.  I especially get yappy late at night, when I am sure Dan has other things he would rather do (sleep mostly-get your mind out of the gutter!).  But he listens to me go on and on and on and on and on.  He doesn't even comment much-maybe he IS sleeping!  Can people sleep with their eyes open?

5.  Love sacrifices
Dan would do anything for me...well maybe, not anything, but pretty close.

6. Love is patient
I know it is surprising to find out, but I am probably not the easiest person to live with.  I am a little bit crazy, I don't know how to say "no" (Dan would say that I say "no" to HIM all the time) so I am always volunteering for stuff which means that Dan is voluntold for stuff.  And I have a lot of baggage that keeps popping up every once in a while.

All in all, I'm a pretty lucky gal.  On top of all of these great things he is the BEST house cleaner I know (lucky for me cause that is not something I like to do), he can fix or build anything and he can cook (only if you like BBQ and beans)!

I'm sure if he had a blog he would be raving about how wonderful I am, but he doesn't; unfortunately.

Whatever fears, doubts, or worries I had 21 years ago have faded.  What I didn't know about love then; I have learned and I am sure will continue to learn.  The last 21 years have brought us 3 children, 11 moves, 2 careers for Dan (still searching for a career for me), 3 dogs, numerous cats, 1 bearded dragon, assorted fish, frogs and 1 hamster.  We have lived in Vulcan, Coaldale, Fort St. John, Taylor, Mackenzie, Lethbridge and now in Lethbridge County.  I can't wait for the next 21 years.

      I still love my dress...I wonder if it still fits?  I wonder if it is still in the air tight box?

Maybe I should open it.

                                     We all look so young!  I can't believe it!