What I've Learned From Marriage

Chris and I have officially been married one year! This obviously makes me an expert. I was twenty-six when I got married, which is a lot older than I expected, and the more I think about it, not old enough. The one lesson I have definitely learned? MARRIAGE IS HARD. A lot harder than being single! Dealing with someone else's schedule, socks, farts, and dirty dishes is hard. Don't get me wrong, I love Chris with all of my heart, but I'm a realistic person. The honest truth is, marriage is hard because Chris sees the real me, everyday. Before we were married, he saw the me the way I wanted him to. I always wore cute clothes, make-up, and I was a happy, cheerful person - mostly. I was even a lot skinnier!

I am not a monster. I like to think that I'm generally a happy, caring person that looks on the bright side of life. BUT I have bad days. I have faults. Every so often I will get hung up on something I shouldn't. Sometimes I am a selfish, terrible person to be around. And now Chris sees this part of me. It's hard. I want to push him away, and hide. But I can't...

Realization: Chris can't see the best part of me, unless he knows the worst. He has to know all of me. Lucky guy gets the good along with the bad. I am, however, working on those parts of me that would be considered imperfect. I want to be happier and more caring. I don't want dark moments in life any more than the next person, but sometimes they are inevitable. Opposition is an important and needed part of life.

I have been stretched a lot this year, as Chris and I have found things that have caused some strain. With that  stretching has come a lot of growth. I have heard that the first year of marriage is the hardest, and I sincerely hope so! It has been down right hard sometimes. I am grateful for that, but I'm grateful that we are, hopefully, over the bumpiest part.

Here is to forever!