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I first knew I loved him when, after spending the day together, his pager went off for a fire call with the local volunteer fire department. I offered to clean up our dinner plates and lock up the house while he went out to help someone in need. In that moment, while watching him walk out the door, I could instantly picture myself doing this for the rest of my life. Sending him off to work, often pushing plans aside for a greater purpose. A willingness to make this calling on his life become our calling.
J knew long before I did. He told me he loved me once, early on, and I asked him not to tell me that again unless he was willing to put a ring on my finger someday. I thank growing up in the “I Kissed Dating Goodbye” generation for its ability to make me so bold in a new relationship. I expected him to walk away from me that night. Because at 17, who actually says that in a response to “I love you”? But he stayed. And said it again a few months later. And then patiently waited for my own heart to catch up.
We’ve come a long way from the 17-year-olds we once were. We’ve weathered several big losses. Unemployment and the busy-ness of life. We’ve grieved together. Laughed together. Moved across the country. Gone on great adventures.
Our marriage isn’t perfect. Far from it, it seems at times. But we choose each other daily. We make the choice to stay. To love, even when we may not feel like it.
This love story of ours is beautiful. Because it’s ours. The hills and valleys of our marriage, knitted together to create the us we’ve become.
Happy 10th wedding anniversary, babe. I can’t wait to discover what lies ahead for us in the next 10.
Photos by Kat Braman.
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