That moment you realize...

I have been married since October 2011. My husband and I had been great friends since we were 16 years old. We continued to be great friends through high school, college, relationships, ups, downs, and everything in between. We began dating in June of 2009, and I never looked back. We are what some would call, one of the "lucky ones". We have our ups and downs, we argue, we disagree, but when it comes down to the big stuff, we are a team. We are right there beside each other through the good and the bad.

Things we disagree on:

- Meat should be cooked. /My darling husband would be perfectly happy if his meal were still mooing.

- We need a new house. /I am past ready to find a one level home that fits our lifestyle and meets my "must haves". Travis HATES moving.

- Television. /Sure, there are a number of things we can agree on when it comes to television and movies, but he likes his things (i.e., Comedy Bang Bang, documentaries about anything, British comedy...), and I like mine. I am perfectly content watching reruns of Psych, Friends, and yes, Fuller House. I KNOW! For shame. It really is bad television, but oh, mylanta, I love me some nostalgia!

Things we agree on:

- Our children are amazing. /Seriously. This is not a point that could ever be argued. We have the most wonderful children.

- Organized religion is not something we think is a necessity. /We have discussed this at length and have some family who do not understand, nor respect, our beliefs. That is okay. That is their right to have their opinion, but that opinion does not dictate how we live our lives or raise our children.

- Quincy is a great town, and we are happy to raise our family here.

A few years back, I worked with a woman who truly hated her spouse. He wasn't a bad man. From how she described him, he was perfectly pleasant, motivated, employed, etc. She just hated him; hated being married. When she spoke of her husband, you instantly felt sorry for him. She seemed like a downright miserable woman to be married to. On one occasion, another coworker had made a comment about so and so's husband passing away. I said to her, "My God, that is my worst nightmare." This woman scoffed at me and said condescendingly, "That's not my worst nightmare." I could never look at her the same. I couldn't imagine vowing to spend my life with someone and not feeling like that person was my best friend and partner. Since that time all those years ago, numerous instances have made me stop and think how lucky I am to have met such an amazing man. And then there comes that moment when you realize, I truly do find myself to be one of the lucky ones.

I love that we can disagree on food. He challenges me to try new things and branch out. Because of him, I found that I really did enjoy sushi, and subsequently, that I am allergic to it. He got me to try my steak medium well, and it was life changing. He embraces that I don't like my peppers cooked to an oblivion and cooks them the way I like them. When I tell him I need to start eating better for my health, he starts cooking steamed fish and vegetables. He may go for quarter pounders on his lunch and never tell me, but he supports me at home, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

I love that we disagree on a house. I don't love that we haven't found a common ground and decided that I am right, (Right?!) but I'm trying to be patient. I love, however, that almost every thing that has brought me intense stress about our house, he has recognized and done his best to remedy. Kitchen have no counter space? He bought an island. Kitchen have no storage? He bought large wire display/storage rack. No attached garage? Automatic start on my new car was a deal breaker at the dealership. He recognizes that this house stresses me out. He understands that there are things that make me insane, but he also understands that when I say I want a new house, that doesn't discount the things I love about our HOME. He lets me vent, and grumble, and curse when I almost fall down the stairs with baskets of laundry or when I spin in circles in the kitchen 15 times trying to find somewhere to set down a hot pan. We bought this home together while we were dating. He proposed to me in our kitchen. (That's a great story for another time.) We came home and ate chinese food after our wedding. We brought both of our babies home to this house. There are so many memories wrapped up in these walls. I. LOVE. OUR. HOME. I am ready for a new HOUSE. He is able to recognize the difference and grasp that I am grateful for all we have, but that it doesn't prohibit me from desiring something else, or something more.

I love that we disagree on television. Because he has forced me to watch things I never thought I'd enjoy, I found shows that became my favorites. Some of my favorite memories with him, were laying in bed, watching back to back episodes of Ghost Hunters.

Long story short, I love my husband. He pushes me to try new things, challenges me when I am leery, encourages me when I am dreaming, and loves me at my best and more importantly, at my worst. He supports whatever decision I make. He speaks to me with respect and embraces our differences. There is no one on this planet who loves me the way that he does. He is hands down, the BEST father to our children. No boy who comes to our doorstep will ever fear Sawyer's Daddy is sitting there with a shot gun. No. They will fear that they don't meet his standards, or that they won't be able to stack up to the man that he is. Sullivan will never feel that he doesn't have a best friend in his corner, because his Daddy will always be his best friend. I have no idea what our future holds, but I know we will take what comes, together.