8 Years

So I am really....REALLY....late on this, but Matthew and I celebrated our 8-year anniversary on December 26th. Yup - almost a month ago - but it's been, well, busy since then and I haven't had a chance to blog about it yet. :) We got married almost straight out of high school - yes, HS sweethearts - and it's working out really well for us. :) Sure, PLENTY of people have let us know that those kinds of marriages are destined to fail - but we don't believe that to be the case. Not that we're "special" or that our relationship is perfect, because BELIEVE me - we've been through some hard times. But we are both in this thing for the long haul - and I can honestly say to you today that I am the luckiest girl around. :) I married my best friend and he is STILL my best friend. (Sure, we haven't always liked each other these 8 years, but what friends don't go through tough times when they're together 24-7??) :)

Anyway, this year Matthew surprised me and we went North a little ways to Amelia Island - stayed at the Ritz Carlton. WOWEE! What a beautiful hotel - and even though our stay was short (we only had one night because of other obligations) - we had a great time! For the first time in a LONG time we just sat around talking. We played checkers (I beat him!) and chinese checkers (he beat me...) and then pool - and for all my trying, he beat me at pool both times. :) Considering how bad we BOTH are at pool, you can imagine how long both games took for one of us to FINALLY win. :) (FYI - if you want to stay at one of the Ritz hotels, do it around that time of year - it's CHEAP! because the place is empty! - compartatively speaking of course - it is no Motel 6 . . . ) :)

So we had a really nice time together - sans kids - and then hurried home the next day to attend the wedding of some friends. :) They've just started out on the journey that Matthew and I did - almost exactly 8 years later. :) I look forward to hearing their thoughts on marriage in 8 years - knowing them though, they've got a PRETTY good grip on marriage even now - and I know God has great things for them in the future.

OK - this is turning into a book. So yesterday I had a few extra minutes and went through some pictures that Heather took almost a year ago. I've never had the time (or taken the time!) to go through and edit them - and I'm wanting some pictures for our walls. Sure, neither of us look like this anymore . . . Matthew has a beard and my hair is, well, gone . . . but that doesn't really matter to me. Neither of us look "great" by any means (our fault, not Heathers - ha!), but these pictures are the only pictures I have of Matthew and I that we look remotely good - again, Heather's skilz ROCK - it's the subject that needs work. Our wedding pictures were OK, but nothing I'd hang on my wall. And since then, one or both of us has been behind the camera - so THANK YOU to Heather, because now I have SOMETHING! :)

OK book over. You may now return to your regularly scheduled programming!