For better or for worse...

Today is our sixth wedding anniversary.

When I think back over the past seven years since we met, at a little pub in Concord, Massachusetts, and I think about the person I've come to love with every part of my heart, I am so thankful to God for bringing us together.

Of course, as blissful as our new found romance was then, I knew that Patrick was the kind of person that I'd been dreaming about.  I could tell that he was special.

And the more I get to know him, the more I know for certain that I was not wrong.  Because not only is he the kind of husband who makes me feel beautiful, and special, and treasured.  The kind who isn't afraid to roll up his sleeves and help with whatever needs to be done.  The kind who loves children and being silly with them and singing to them, and comforting them when they're crying.  The kind who loves God with all his heart and soul and mind and strength, and not just on Sunday mornings at church, but in every part of his life.

But he's also the kind of husband you want with you when you go through a year like our past year has been.  The kind of husband who holds you when you are afraid.  Who cries with you when the doctor tells you he's sorry, but there is no longer a heartbeat.  Twice.  Who works a full day and then prepares dinner and packs up the bags for your three young children and then drives them almost an hour away every single Tuesday for months because you have a hospital appointment the next day.  Who brings every meal up to you in bed every single day for eight weeks, while working a full-time job.  He's the kind of husband who gives you unbelievable amounts of slack when your emotions are all over the map and you can't rein them in.  Who can see you at your absolute worst and still think you're great. He is the person who supports you even when you know he needs support, too.

I have never known a love like that from another person, and I'm convinced that God knew what lay ahead for us when we met way back on that cold December night in New England.  I remember him walking me to my car and thinking I'd really like to see him again.  I didn't know yet that he was the one for me (it would only take me about three more dates to know), but I just liked him.  He's unbelievably likeable.

Yes, God knew that we had a rough road before us, and that we would fit a whole lot of living into the next six years, but he also fit us together perfectly.  See how even the curves of our faces fit together?  He knew that we would each be the missing piece the other would need to get through something like we just went through, and I am so grateful that He did.  Because there is no other person that I want to go through this life with than Patrick, and I can't wait to see what the future will hold.  If we could get through that, we can get through anything.

Bring it.