A Man Like That! Happy 15th!

This week is full of milestones for our family but the big one is our 15th wedding anniversary.  It doesn't seem possible that this time 15 years ago I was finalizing plans, picking up dresses and champagne and running around like a CRAZY person making sure it was all done for my day, oops sorry I meant OUR day ;).  I have been thinking back to that time in my life and how things have changed.  I think about all the things that made me think Jason was "the one".  I often joke with my friends that we have to be together because I am not sure anyone else could have handled either of us.   The truth is when you are young and in love the things that matter then are different than the things that matter now.  We had chemistry, which basically means I liked the way he looked in his jeans and he thought I had nice legs!  Jason was handsome and smart and driven to do well.  We both wanted children and we both wanted the life we have now, one where he heads off to work and I stay home and care for said children.

We have changed so much, neither of us are the same people that we were all those years ago.  The neat thing is we are still the same as a couple.  Still on the path together even though the path has changed, still laughing together, still enjoying each other's company, still us but a new and improved version of us.  Stronger and better.  Our love has endured lost jobs, new jobs, big moves and small moves, birth of 3 children and the loss of dear family, so many things!   I get it now "for better or worse".  I have known far more "better" but I am so grateful that I had Jason by my side to help me through the "worse" and I feel even more grateful to have been there for him.


The things that matter now are different.  I have a husband who makes me a priority.  A husband who cares what I think.  A husband that will sacrifice to make sure I have something I want.  A husband who would have given up a wonderful career opportunity so that I could stay with my friends if I had asked.  A husband who brags about me to his mother and his friends.  A husband!  The person who knows me best in the world!  And he still thinks I have nice legs!

I love him more that words can say and I probably don't tell him often enough but then again I could tell him every minute of everyday and it still wouldn't be enough.

This morning at my MOPS meeting I attempted a heart felt goodbye.  It was heart felt but far from eloquent.  I took my husband's approach to speaking in public when emotion is involved, know what you want to say but don't script it.   He has brought me to tears on more than one occasion when speaking at a wedding or funeral or goodbye luncheon.  Well the method that works so well for Jason didn't really pan out for me!  So in am attempt to help people understand what I was saying through the tears I decided to blog it!  

As I said this morning, FIVE WEEKS!  That is all I have till I reach the light or end of my tunnel.  The day that seemed so far away is approaching faster than I would like.  I miss my friends that are still all around me.  I think about all the memories I have made in this community, all the friend that I will have for a lifetime.   I have never been too attached to the friends in my life.   I love my friends new and old but I am not very good at keeping in touch.  I have exactly 1 friend that has endured, my cousin Alison.  She has been my best friend for literally my entire life. I have lived a life with the attitude that if you have your family that is all you need.  

My sweet babies when we arrived in Clarkesville

I thought our time in Clarkesville would be short (4 years tops) and we would move on once again having met some nice people and made some fun memories.  But some many of you have become entangled (in a good way) in my life.  So many people are in my daily thoughts even if I don't speak to them everyday.  So many people love me in spite of my brutal honesty and because of that I have learned that sometimes honesty is necessary and sometimes it is kinder to just listen.  I have my friends here to thank for that.

I arrived in this town with 2 babies and I am leaving with 3 young men.  I arrived feeling as though my best friends would just be my hubby and 2 sweet boys and I am leaving with so many dear friends that I can't count them.  I arrived counting only on myself and my husband and I am leaving a group of fellow mothers that I would trust with my boys lives.  I arrived a young (in the world of mothering)mother with so much to learn and I am leaving as  someone that people turn to when they need advice.

Look at my big boys now!  My how things have changed!

And I even made some friends of my own!

This is a big change for our family, an exciting time, a new adventure and I am trying to figure out how to embrace the new life while holding onto the old.  

Much love to you all!