Happy 7th Anniversary

Dear Caden,

Seven years ago I walked down the aisle and met your father at the altar. Marriage isn't easy, but it is absolutely amazing. There have been many challenges, many tears, but many triumphs and lots of laughter. Your father and I are best friends and marrying him was absolutely the best decision I ever made. He gave me my greatest gifts: both you and and your brother, Jacob. My world is infinitely better with you guys in it. Thank you for allowing me the honor of being your mother. Marriage is something that you must work at and work for. Our marriage is built on three cords: Your Daddy, Me and God. For without God, we have nothing. Everything is built around Him. Our marriage is one built on laughter. If you cannot laugh at yourself, then you need to learn to. It just allows for a breath a fresh air and people tend to want to be around you more because you exude happiness. Be nerdy together, have inside jokes and enjoy doing crazy off the wall things - it keeps the spice going. Always put more into the relationship than you take out, live and love like there is no tomorrow, for we are not guaranteed another morning. Tell your spouse how handsome/beautiful they are when they are feeling so sick and have dragon breath. . . they may just say, "yeah, whatever.", but the love and specialness that you just made them feel will linger. Do things together, go out and spend time with each other. At the same time, be yourself. Don't forget who you were before you got married. This is important, because you must be strong in yourself before you become strong with each other. Even though you are married it is extremely important that you never stop courting or dating your spouse. Let them know that even after all these years that your hearts still skips a beat when you see them, or that you get butterflies in your stomach when you hear their voice over the phone. Don't get so caught up in the day to day drama and chaos of life that can suck all the fun out. Today's society takes relationships, uses them and just spits them out. If it gets too hard, it is easy to say "I quit." and move on. Take the words, "I Quit" out of your vocabulary, they should never be considered or used. You invested so much into this, build your relationship on a solid foundation and fight for it. Some days are better than others, but every day is worth it. Learn to say "I love you" every day and mean it. Look them in the eye when you say it, or sneak up behind them and whisper it in their ear, but say it. Let them know that you not only love them but are IN love with them, for there will come a day when you long to hear those words from your loved one but all you will get back is the echo of Life's ticking clock. Learn to do something that your spouse likes to do, just to spend time with him: be it fishing, building up old cars or computer gaming all day. On the same token, allow them to spend time with you and have the patience to teach them. Marriage is a box of crazy: crazy laughter, crazy tears, crazy nights, crazy meals, crazy bubble baths with crazy kids, crazy late nights of reading books to little people and making fort tents, But you know what? It is the best crazy 7 years I have ever had - here's to many, many more. *Raises glass*

Love,
Mommy