It’s our 8 year anniversary. We’re in New Jersey, where we got married, surrounded by family who were at our wedding.
I know I’m going to look at pictures, remember, and probably load myself with lots of guilt. I was so skinny! We were so happy! We were so in love! We had tons of adventures!
I wish I were still the person Dan married–or thought he married– almost a decade ago. I want to apologize to him for being so “not myself” for so long. For not making better food, health, sleep, and exercise choices to speed along the recovery process. For being a beast at times. For yelling at him when I’m really angry at myself. For promising a lifetime of love and devotion and barely acknowledging that he exists at times. For putting him lowest on the totem pole when I’m in “survival mode”.
I want to thank him for hanging in there with me through PPD Jenna moments, and just grumpy Jenna moments. Through 3 kids. Through state-wide moves, changes in careers, houses, cars, moments of “I’m lost and need to find myself”. For holding my hand in bed at night. For being patient and understanding. For never ceasing to love. For not leaving. For being my biggest supporter and advocate no matter what kind of a day it is. For continuing to sing even when it seems so dire that I can’t imagine what there is left to sing about. For helping rearrange the furniture when I’m feeling “claustrophobic”. For letting me to go the library to get myself centered and to let my aching ears to hear some nice quiet silence.
Here’s to looking back and remembering the season of our new and budding love, and to looking forward to rest of the odyssey TOGETHER.
Happy Anniversary. It is the 8 year anniversary of Ryan and my first date on Nov. 19th too. Don’t forget that in marriage it is a priviledge to get to walk with someone through their struggles. That is what better or worse means.
Happy Anniversary to you!!
Oh, and skinny!? Seriously, you are super-duper thin right now. Be careful, or this getting-chubby-quick pregnant lady is going to force-feed you a hamburger!
You look fabulous and healthy and had better not lose any more…
Jill,
I guess I was just thinking there would be like 95% of the “better” and only 5% of the “worse”–not the 4 good years and 4 not so good years thus far. Happy dating anniversary memories to you and Ryan.
Anne,
I’ll take your hamburger–no force-feeding necessary! And you’re nothin’ but belly, so you have no worries, mate.
Happy Anniversary! I hope that your day was special for you guys.
Do you really want to be the same person you were 8 years ago? I know the journey certainly hasn’t been easy, but think of how God has used these experiences to shape you into such a beautiful person. Like a muscle, we need resistance to become stronger as individuals and in our relationships.
When you look at the pictures, remember that you are still skinny, you and Dan are more in love than you were 8 years ago, and you have had many adventures along the way. 8 years is a long time to be married! Celebrate and enjoy.