Some twenty plus years ago, I caught sight of a young man (a whole 16 years old). He entered my marching band class (don’t judge, I was still a cool chick) to deliver a hall pass to another student. In that brief moment of his coming and going from the room, I turned to my friend (and fellow totally hot baritone player) to announce that I would one day marry him. Honestly, he didn’t stand a chance!
His name was Steven Middleton, a football player, middle of three sons, and all-around awesome guy. He was incredibly bright, driven, popular, and FUN! Somehow, I convinced him that I was the girl for him, and he has consistently pushed me to be better, stronger, smarter, and more honestly me ever since. I know that my 14 year old self was naïve and romantic when pronouncing the fate of our lives before we’d even spoken, but there was something alight in my heart and soul when I saw him. My 35 year old self still connects with that emotion. It is amazing how time passes and situations change, but the love is constant.
Now, we mark our 10th wedding anniversary, which is nothing to sneeze at, but I like to regard this time as only the beginning (or maybe I am just in denial about getting older). On the day of our “I do’s”, I wept tears of joy and claimed the day as the best of my life before we even got to Our Lady of Mercy to seal the deal. I could feel my dreams coming to fruition; I could see my forever, and I loved the sight. The day was magical, and I was right. Up to that moment, it was the best of my life.
In this first decade of marriage, we have done, seen, and experienced so much as a couple – travelling (I miss our trips to Mexico…), building our home, achieving success in our careers, and setting up our home away from home in Panama City Beach, FL. The richness in our lives, though, has come from seeing our reflections in the faces, personalities, and words of our girls. The days our daughters – Norah Bobbi, 01.22.09 and Lillian Weihe, 07.20.11 – were born, easily took the top best day spots in a perfect tie. Our wedding day may have become a close second, but marrying Steven remained the best decision I ever made.
From that decision, came a life of love and dreams and excitement I could never have imagined. It’s funny how that happened, despite our life going severely off the roadmap I had perfectly planned in our pre-marital preparatory class (I seriously had a timeline set for our lives together up to age 40). We didn’t move into our home by my deadline…it took a whole year longer. We didn’t finish having children by the time I was 30, as I indicated we would…in fact, my first was born AFTER my 30th birthday! And that’s just two of the things that didn’t go as I planned. (FYI, I threw the plan out the window a while ago.) There are also messy fights, frustrations, and fall outs…days when I ask myself what happened to the fairy tale!?
Somehow, though, it is all as it should be each and every day, whether we like it or not. The setbacks lead to enriching experiences, like becoming extremely close to my mother-in-law, as we lived with her as we saved, planned, and built our home; and making tons of memories, just the two of us, to hold on to until we are empty nesters (vacationing as a couple is WAY different than vacationing with kids!). The tiffs teach us about each other and push us to work on our communication, learn to laugh at the little stuff, and remind us that we are much better as a team than we are as adversaries.
Ten years of marriage has taught me a great deal, but the most important lesson is one I already knew (though a little reminding is sometimes necessary). Whether life is tough or easy, a chore or fun, every day, I choose him. Every day, I promise to love and cherish once more. Every day, my heart knows, I would marry him again. Our marriage has taught me to trust my heart, have faith in the path God has put before me, and keep on loving. Today’s hardships will lead to tomorrow’s joy. And today, I am beyond joyful. Happy 10th Anniversary to Us!!! Grace + Steven for Eternity and More!
