5 Years

Celebrating 5 years today! Wow! It feels like we've packed a lot into those 5 years. 

Sure, there have definitely been some stressful moments. Moving between countries (that are also two different languages) with a pretty new baby - twice? Not something I would recommend to anyone. Ever. 

But we did it. And we got stronger. And we laughed. A lot. Mostly at ourselves. We learned to have joy in the moment. To smile through the hard times. To love deeper. And to hold tighter when life gets tough.

In the past 5 years we have done more than finally get some pictures on our shelves (though, that was a mighty accomplishment in itself), 

We've also welcomed two wonderful little people into our family and can scarcely remember what our life was like before them. I'm sure we learn more lessons from them as we try to be the best parents we can than they learn from us. But I suppose that's the way it goes and at the end of the day we're all just grateful to have each other. 

We've felt the power of family. Not only of our own little family that is sealed for the eternities. But also our extended family and a group of incredible friends that may as well be family. It's been a support unit that has aided us in so many ways.

We've learned to embrace the moment. Or rather, we've gotten better at it. Because it's not so easy to embrace those moments that aren't exactly what you expected.

We've made new friends. Whom we could not imagine having not met. They've left their mark on our hearts in so many lovely ways. We're pretty lucky with that.

We've explored a little of our love for traveling and cultures. And we've seen that love grow in unique ways in each of our children. It's been an adventure, an absolute pleasure and a source of many interesting stories like the brilliant idea to take a short cut by carrying our stroller (with child) down the spanish steps. Or the turkish bus ride - that's a family favorite. 

We've moved. A lot. It may not be the most relaxing thing but it certainly reminds us of our priorities to more deeply ingrain in ourselves that the most precious things in life aren't things.

We've learned that home is wherever we are at together. During one of our travels we made a poor hotel choice; it was dirty, run down and in a rather worrisome neighbourhood, but that didn't matter to the kids. At the end of the day we were going "home" because we were all there together and it didn't matter that the hotel wasn't the nicest because there was comfort and security in our family - right where it should be. 

We've grown. As individuals. As a couple. As a family. And learned more about one another in the process. 

But the most important thing? We're together, we're happy and we're grateful; grateful that we made the choice to marry one another, our best friend, in the House of the Lord 5 years ago today. 

Here's to celebrating that wonderful choice and to looking forward to an infinite future together.

Love you, Jason!