2 years

What a difference two years can make. When I think back on other two year spans in my life, none can compare to the past two years of my life. On November 18, 2006, CR and I said, "I do" in front of our families and closest friends. Each and every morning since then, we wake up and say, "I do". I do respect the other person. I do love the other person unconditionally. I do put the other person before me. I do choose to carry out my promise to this person. I do continue to commit all I have to our relationship. We may not say it out loud, but our actions speak louder than words. The other day one of my students caught me off guard and said, "Mrs. Patrick, you do not look like someone who fights with her husband. But I am sure you do, right? I mean, all women fight with their boyfriends." My response, "You know, I can honestly tell you that CR and I have never had a "fight". We have had our small disagreements, but to this day I can not remember a time in the four years I have known CR that we have raised our voices, said words of regret, or really had a fight." Second period was all amazed. Then I said, "That is what happens when you marry your best friend and never want to hurt them. That is true love."


Over the past two years, CR has graduated college, we lost my Uncle Steve, we moved 300 miles from our first home together, CR started farming with his dad, Kyleigh lived with us for a few months, we lost Grandpa, we lost Gracie, Katherine had twins, we got Koda, I started teaching again, CR started another job (hunting guide) and as of last week, we are aunt and uncle to Rob and Megan's sweet Eva. Whew. Just thinking back on that wears me out. When I sit for a minute I wonder sometimes how we got through some of that. Do you want to know the secret? We did it together along with God and our families. Not one time did we point the finger. Not one time did we hurt one another. Many times we turned to God. Many times we turned to family and friends for support. We often found ourselves just hugging in the kitchen just to hold each other up. CR is my earthly rock. I know I have a heavenly Rock, but CR is mine here on Earth. My Heavenly Rock sent him to me. Made him especially for me. When God made CR, he must have been thinking about me.

I love my Cinderella story. It may not be how I ever imagined it as a little girl, but that is just it; it is better than anything I could have ever imagined. It's a "jalapeno pepper on a cheesy enchilida!"

"For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior." Eph. 5:23

"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers." 1 Peter 3:7