Four years...Almost

We are closing in on four years.  Four years!  It doesn't seem like that long, but it feels like that long.  I remember the day I first saw him hop up the curb in front of my parents house picking me up for our first date, how he opened my car door and has everyday ever since.  I remember him asking to hold my hand--the first hand that ever held mine, his lips the first to kiss mine.  I remember watching him love his mother through nearly losing her.  I remember the day he asked me to be his wife in a little Church on the east coast.

I remember him asking me if I could handle this life.  The Army life.

I hesitated.  I didn't want to sound prideful, sure of myself.  I didn't want to sound like I hadn't thought of it.  Because I had.  A lot.

But, I knew I could.  I knew that, no matter what this life would throw at me, I could handle it.  Not because I was strong, but because God would make me strong.

The last four years have flown by.  But, in some ways, it seems like we've been married longer.  We have been tried and we have struggled.  There has been much that has happened since we said I do.  Since his fellow Soldiers welcomed me to the Army under their sabers.  We've made a family, brought forth children.  Beautiful children.  We lost a piece of us, held each other through grief.  We've laughed.  We've moved.  A lot.  We've lived a year without each other.  Grew while apart and then grew back together again.  We left family, made another home.  We've lived, we've survived--we've thrived.  And through it all, we've loved.

People told us it would be hard.  I see that now.  And I know we have a great many more victories and struggles ahead of us in the next fifty plus years.  But, I've had the honor to stand by a man who would leave everything behind to defend his country.  A man who loves his girls so much he's willing to say good-bye to ensure our protection.  A man who loves humbly, lives bravely.  He's a man who puts God first and his family second. Always. He's proud of us. He cherishes us.  He takes whatever God hands us; he has seen me at my worst and loved me through it.  Watched me soar at my best and celebrated with me.  He knows me and he loves me.

What an honor to be married to this caliber of a man.  What a gift to stand by him.  What a privilege to be his wife.

Four years.  Such a short time to be so full of such blessings--both obvious and disguised.  Four years wonderful years married to my husband, my best friend.  To my Soldier.  God is good.