One Year Of Marriage
As you've probably noticed, Brian and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary this past weekend. A year flew by so quickly. It feels like just yesterday we were in grad school pretending like we both would be fine when I graduated and moved away. The first year of marriage passed by faster than the year leading up to our wedding day.
In our first year, we've traveled to three different countries, raised a Canine Good Citizen, danced almost every night in our kitchen, pushed each other's buttons, started a blog, lost opportunities and grown more than ever as a couple.
To celebrate here on Just X's And O's, I wanted to share what we've learned in our first year of marriage, our biggest challenge and our happiest moment.
1. To lean on each other and ask for help
Brian and I are both pretty stubborn and independent which makes it difficult for both of us to naturally ask for help. We like to think we can get things done on our own without bothering the other person, but we've learned that our personal struggles are easier to manage when we ask our partner for help in navigating the situation and working through it.
2. To share feelings, hopes, dreams, and heartaches
Communication is key in any relationship. Brian and I have found the more we share the better our communication. Like I mentioned above, we'ver both very independent, so we struggled with sharing every last hope and heartache. But we've found the more we share the better we can work together and the better the other person can know what truly will be helpful.
3. Fill the other person's wine glass first
Around our wedding, someone shared their advice to "always fill the other person's coffee first," but Brian and I have changed this a bit to "always fill the other person's wine glass first." While both are acceptable and much appreciated, we find we're sitting down together more often to enjoy wine than coffee.
Our Biggest Challenge
Our first year of marriage has taught us a lot about being patient. Brian and I both have big dreams and want to get there fast, but unfortunately, this is not how success works. This first year has taught us so much in being patient with ourselves, each other and our current life situation. We don't want to wish our life away and we know working hard for what we want in life will make the achieving that much sweeter. Patience is something I feel we will both continue to grow in for the rest of our lives.
Our Happiest Moment
Our happiest moment occurred about a month after our wedding. We were cooking a Blue Apron meal when our smoke alarms started to go off even though there wasn't smoke in the kitchen or house. One of us is fanning the smoke alarm while the other person tended to the food still cooking. All of a sudden our new puppy, Uly, starts yelping out of nowhere and running around the kitchen. His collar was caught on his food bowl tray and he was trying to run from it. Puppy food and water went everywhere all over the floor.
After catching Uly and releasing him from his food bowl tray, I wanted to cry. The kitchen was a mess, the smoke alarms were going off, and the Blue Apron meal just didn't feel worth all this hassle. But at that moment, we couldn't help but laugh because there was nowhere else we wanted to be and no one else we wanted to be in this situation with than each other.
I'm excited to see what adventures and opportunities are waiting for us in year two. And to Brian - thanks for being my biggest supporter. There is no one else I'd rather be on this adventure with than you. You're amazing and I love you.
xx,
Linds
