On My 9th Anniversary

Today is my ninth anniversary. Nine years ago, Dave and I were headed off on our honeymoon, completely disconnected from reality and very unaware of what the years ahead of us would bring.

Before I married, I supposed that anniversaries would be spent in blissful getaways full of flowers and romance. On our first anniversary, I was already pregnant with Ethan, but we did have at least a smidge in the form of an overnight stay in Providence, Utah. Since then, there have been some flowers, and a few dinners, but most of the time they're pretty low-key affairs.

Tonight I got home late from a long and completely discouraging day of work. Dave and the kids had already eaten, but cold spaghetti was waiting for me on the counter. There were flowers--a friend had brought me a bouquet yesterday as her way of saying thanks for helping her. I got in some chatting about our respective days with DB and then it was off to deal with bath time, talking a certain princess out of wearing her brother's underwear and trying to ascertain whether or not EG's suggestions of illness were indeed real or false. Now, I sit at the table with my laptop and my mug of icewater, wearing a flowery nightgown of the maternal house dress variety, watching my husband snooze while my kids watch the original Willie Wonka.

Initially, I thought that I'd feel a little down about the whole thing. But then I looked around my kitchen and dining room, torn apart so that DB could install new tile, the "Look What I Did" board on my wall full of finger paintings and glittery glue creations, and hear the singsong sounds of my baby girl chatting about heaven only knows what. And suddenly I realize just how blessed I am, having the husband I never thought I'd have, making plans with him to be married forever, raising children I'd been told could never come to me in a house that may be small and cluttered, but full of the noise of a family that drives me nuts and makes me happy all at the same time.

I'm not sure I could ask for a nicer anniversary than that.