Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Happy 8th Wedding Anniversary To Us

Today is our 8th wedding anniversary!  I am very thankful for Gary in my life...most of the time.  Ha.  Maybe not when he's snoring like a walrus at 3 am but most of the time.  I don't think we would have chosen each other, I really do think it was God.   Or maybe a massive group of grade 9's who probably would like some credit with their signs that read `Isn't Mr. Chapman cute?'  or writing on the white board `Louise + Gary'!
One of the things that really brought Gary and I together was a love for adventure and the outdoors.  We loved to camp and hike and explore.  We still do love it.  I just haven't done it in a while.  By the way, we have a lot of very similar interests; playing sports, food, photography, teaching, science etc.  I don't know if we have any hobbies that the other one doesn't love.  Oh ya, video games.  I don't do those.
There is nothing like a grueling 4 day hike to see what someone is really like.  

I think one of the hardest things for me has been that I haven't been able to do anything adventurous with Gary in the past few years.  I've always been pregnant or breastfeeding or my health was really bad.  Gary still gets to do this with his LEAD class at school but I really do miss that part of our relationship. I look forward to delving into this again.  It's actually really important to me as it is a huge part of who I am.
True, we take our kids hiking and we are taking them on a big trip, but I do miss that one on one time with Gary where we can work hard together and see some amazing sights.
I'm glad that we didn't get married until we were 26 and 29.  We were able to become more of who we were.  Had I married whoever I was dating when I was 22...um ya, things would be very different.   I see a lot of people get married younger and it  works well for them, but for us, there is zero percent chance we would've chosen each other years earlier.  



One thing I took away from a marriage course that we did once was that your husband is not your girlfriend. I know, sounds like common sense.  Gary is one of my best friends.  I would rather do any activity in the world with him than anyone else.  However, when it comes time to talk through feelings or decisions, I often turn to my sisters or friends.  I will talk with Gary about them but I can't expect him to totally understand.  He will sometimes say something like `Well, don't feel that way then' `You don't need to worry about it' etc.  And that's just really how he feels/thinks.  So ya, that has been one lesson that I have learned in our marriage.
The day we got married was awesome.  I wish I had cared more about our wedding photos at the time :) 
{Finally about 6 cm dilated with Kai...had been up already one whole night...Our lives were about to change drastically!  I would also venture to say that my hair has never looked worse?}

The biggest thing to affect our marriage?  Kids.  I had no idea how much it  would affect our lives.  They have been the hardest thing on our marriage and the greatest thing. 
These little people suck every ounce of energy from me and leave me as a tired old lady. Ha.  Doesn't that sound fun to be married to?  I have way less energy/time/patience for Gary and that's sad.  I know it will get easier as I sleep more (eventually) and the kids don't need me as much for the every day tasks.  Hopefully Gary and I will be able to get away just the two of us more often.  Whether that's just for dinner or a walk or even over nighters.  

For me, life is `boring' right now.  And that's okay I guess.  I just do need a dose of adventure and somehow the whole `take three kids to the grocery store' is not the adventure I seek.  It is a good life and I think not one day goes by where I do not appreciate all that I have.  I do look forward to more than the `wash, rinse, repeat' days though.
Gary and I have a great commitment to one another.  He's stuck with me, I'm stuck with him. I joke, but we aren't going anywhere!  If I had to choose 3 things that I am most thankful for in him right now, they would be:

1. He is an awesome dad.  I couldn't do this on my own.  Although we parent a little differently, that is so important and so good.  Our kids will learn so much from each of us.

2.  He is a great cook.  We love food.  A lot.  We love GOOD food.

3.  That his love is unchanging.  His love for God and us.  I know that no matter how emotional and wild I get, he loves me just the same.  Such security in that, you know? I don't have to worry if I can't lose those last 15 lbs or I cry too much or I'm too tired to be any fun (wow, I'm not really this bad all the time).  He's there.  Always will be.  

 Some of my favourite times are seeing Gary in action with the kids.  The post dinner wrestle time is awesome.  Nya has a lot of love in her heart for her dada and I really think they have a special relationship.  The boys weren't drawn to him like she is.

Gary, I'm glad you realized how awesome I was and that you wanted to date me and marry me. Lucky guy! Ha.  I'm glad that we took the chance on each other even though it could've gone really bad as we worked together.   You just never know...

I love you.  Here's to another 50 years?!  

Love, Louise

5 comments:

  1. Happy Anniversary! Great pictures :)

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  2. happy anniversary!! oh how i remember those joking comments in high school... too funny! :)

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  3. This is such a wonderful post. Happy Anniversary!

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  4. Happy anniversary! Enjoyed reading, seeing the pics. Oh man, we have all changed. PS I knew you when you were 20 and am also glad you didn't marry then:)

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  5. Love this! Happy Anniversary!

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