My, how time flies

Wow. I can hardly believe that it's been almost 7 years since I met Ryan. And the weird thing about all that is that we got married a year (almost to the day) after we met at that birthday party. So many things have happened and changed over these last years. I have gained a whole other family whom I love dearly.

You know how sometimes people marry and their in-laws are crazy? Or that their family doesn't get along with their in-laws? Well, I guess I must be the exception to that rule. My parents and Ryan's parents get along great. Even my grandparents get along well with them. It's like when we got married, my family took Ryan in as one of their own and Ryan's family did the same with me. We both know how incredibly lucky we are. And I truly wish that for everyone. I've heard horror stories about in-laws. Thankfully I haven't had to experience that...and am wishing I never have to.

So, what's different six/seven years later? Well, first of all, we have TWO kids. And they're the best kids ever. Now, maybe I'm a little biased, but ask anybody. Surprisingly they're incredibly well behaved (with just a few minor missteps like every child) and really loving kids.

Alex is my little "people pleaser." He wants everyone to like him. He's such a sweet boy, too. And really tenderhearted sometimes. But we've grown to love that about him. He's emotional just like his Momma. He's sincere and genuine with his feelings. I couldn't ask for a better son, really. I hope he stays this sweet his whole life. I'm thinking he will. :)

Reesey is vastly different from her brother. She couldn't care less if she pleased anyone or not. Now, she's not a mean girl by any means. She just knows what she wants and if people don't like it, oh well. She, like her brother, is really loving. However, she reserves that for specific people, which makes your relationship with her all the more special. She's so funny. She cracks me up on a daily basis! She even makes Alex laugh, which I find quite amusing and sweet. They are each other's best friends, and that makes me so happy. They like to play together and they get upset when the other is hurt or frightened. Alex is very protective of her. It's too sweet!

When you marry somebody, I don't care if you dated for years or just months previous, you learn more about them than you knew before. And while I knew that I was supposed to marry Ryan on that night when I first met him, I had no idea who he was as a person. And getting to know him over the year that year, I grew to love who he was inside. He truly is my best friend. We've been through a lot in our short marriage, but it's all been so worth it. It's made us better parents and better to each other. He's the greatest person I know and I'm so lucky and grateful that God put him in my life.

A lot of people wouldn't have lasted with all the obstacles we faced. There's a Faith Hill song, "A Baby Changes Everything," that speaks of what Mary went through when she was pregnant with Jesus. Now, I know that I'm nowhere near on that level. Don't think I'm trying to sound like I am. But I do know that a baby changes everything. Sometimes a baby changes things for the worse for some people. The stresses of a baby and a new marriage can break a couple. Or they can make them stronger than they ever thought. We were fortunate to be in the latter category. The circumstances leading up to my marriage and birth of my son were not ideal. But I honestly wouldn't change anything. Because changing one thing means that I'm not happy and content with what God has blessed me. He knew we could handle it. He knew how we'd turn out, even if we didn't.

I love Ryan more than anyone could ever know. He is everything in my world. And I cherish the relationship we have. We fight, we laugh, we cry, we yell, we tease, we love. All of it makes for one great marriage. We are not perfect and I'm so thankful for that. Because it makes us aware of what is around us and what could have and probably should have brought us down when we were at a really low point in our lives. Satan tried to break us. He threw up obstacles and people said and did things that were wrong and horrible. But we overcame them and we're stronger for it. And happier.