Happy 8th Wedding Anniversary!

Eight years ago today, I married my sweet Prince. I was scared to death. Not because I didn't love him, but because I didn't want to fail at marriage - again. I didn't want to put my two children through another bad marriage and painful divorce. This time, it wasn't just me I was risking. And let's face it, marriage is a tough gig.

After separating from my first husband (of 14 years!), I liberally enjoyed dating. I had lost tons of weight and more importantly I rediscovered the real "me" again. All the fun, the spark, my utter SASSINESS was back, and in force. I wasn't looking to get married again anytime soon, because I was enjoying myself and finally being selfish in my own pursuits and pleasures. It.Was.Fabulous!!! And contrary to my ex's predictions, I was one hot ticket, thank-you-very-much!!! But at 35, I also wasn't about to deal with very much B.S. either. Been there, done that. I wasn't about to stand for any games, and I was very honest and very clear about what I wanted and what I didn't. I went on a lot of first dates. I did not go on a lot of second dates.

Then I met Thomas. Our first date was on March 2, 2001. I never dated again.

Thomas, the confirmed bachelor, focused solely on his career and his fun (in that order!), was not only going to get married, BUT was also going to become an instant family man too. The poor man just didn't even have a clue.....thank God!!!!

Thank God NONE of us have a clue actually! If we could see around the bend in life, it's highly likely that none of us would ever have the courage to even get out of bed each morning! So this isn't going to be the typical, syrupy sweet, you-are-the-wind-beneath-my-wings kinda post. Love isn't a fairy tale; it's a choice.

It's a deliberate choice you have to make every day. Did you actually pay attention to the wedding vows when you spoke them??

"To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer; in sickness and health, forsaking all others, to love, honor and cherish til death do us part."

That is some deep, heavy stuff people!! Some people spend all their time and energy worrying about whether the tablecloths match the crepe paper streamers, that matches the invitations. Tons of time and thousands of dollars spent on planning a wedding, but next to zero amount of time planning their LIVES TOGETHER, or considering their life partner's morals and values!!! But I did think about it. A lot!! And when we got married, it included Alex and Shane too. Because Thomas was not only making vows to me, but to them too. It was a beautiful part of the ceremony and they received rings as well. He made that choice; that commitment.

Looking back over eight years of marriage, we have certainly had our share of highs and lows. Career ups and downs, moves, family drama, deaths, deployments, redeployments, new baby, moves, tough duty assignments, etc, etc, etc. But we survived and triumphed over it all. We met every challenge, faced every obstacle, together. We made the choice.

Thomas, my Sweet Baboo,
thank you for choosing me.

And for deciding to keep choosing
me - every day!