5 years

5 years ago is when I met Ryan. Oh what a happy day that was. It seriously felt magical just meeting him. 4 years ago he proposed to me. And nearly 4 years ago we were married. Looking back over the past 5 years there are two things I've noticed.

First, we have definitely had our share of struggles. In the course of just the past 5 years we have experienced significant problems in dating, housing, money, personal health, extended family health, schooling, transportation, jobs and peer relations. I think the only area of life that hasn't been a struggle at one point or another has been kids (and that can mostly be attributed to not having any...yet)

The second thing I've noticed when looking back over the past 5 years with Ryan...they have been the best 5 years of my life! I love Ryan so much. And even though we've had trials in just about every area of life at one point or another, it really doesn't feel like we've had a "hard life" for the past 5 years. Things have worked out really well for us. I feel so blessed for everything we have. And while being sick for a solid month after only having been married for 6 weeks was really tough at the time and me not being able to find an elementary teaching position after graduation was extremely aggravating and so on and so forth, it doesn't feel like we've had it "rough" ever. I guess there are always bound to troubles in life. But even when bad things are happening, it has always felt like "we've got it good."

And I don't think that would be true if it weren't for Ryan. He is incredible and I am so glad I have him in my life. I love that he makes me laugh and smile everyday! I love that when I am about to start crying, he tells me I have "spongebob eyes" and that makes me smile even if it is just for a second before the tears come on for real. I love that he'll make tacos on taco night and stir fry on stir fry night because I despise being around raw meat. I love that he doesn't complain when laundry isn't folded as long as he has clean clothes for work. I love that he gives me way more backrubs and footrubs than I deserve. I love that the only time he has yelled at me is when I bit in my sleep. I love that he finds it hilarious that I bit him in my sleep because I was dreaming that he was tickling me and wouldn't stop. And most of all right now, I love that I am carrying his little girl. I love our family. Ryan, Angela, Lily and Baby-To-Be. I love it!