Today is my seventh wedding anniversary. For some reason, this one feels more significant than the others that have come before it. Last year, for our anniversary, we just took Amelia out with us for steak. No big deal, really. But Jeff and I have the sort of relationship that seems to perform best under duress. That’s a good thing, considering the last few years we have had! It has been good for us to see what each is made of, to pull together when life was ridiculously disappointing and unsure. It was around this time last year, when we realized that we may not get to stay in Germany, that many of the things we had given our all to make happen were about to go away. We literally grabbed a lemon from the kitchen and played a goofy game of toss with it, laughing about our ridiculously terrible predicament. There was no point in pouting or panicking, time to just face it and enjoy each moment before us. We have worked so hard to make each other laugh this year, and to take care of one another. We have mostly been isolated, away from family, friends and community, facing the world together on our own. This was a significant year for us, and it is good to realize that we have gone through trying times and come out stronger.
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| When it all began… |
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| Who knew we would end up here!? |
Last night, we really celebrated. We actually got a babysitter this time, and went to a restaurant on a moated farm. We enjoyed a fancy five-course meal with good wine. It was really fun, and it just felt good to celebrate all that we have weathered together, and the fact that we have done it well. I am thankful to have a partner that is not afraid to face life head-on, that is willing to take risks and have a sense of humor about the things that go wrong. We are looking forward to a sweet, less-eventful eighth year together.
Happy Anniversary! There is something special about going through an expat experience with your spouse – our relationship has graduated to a level I never imagined! Wishing you many more years of excitement, adventures, and love! 🙂
Chelsey, thank you so much!
Happy Anniversary! Hope the next year together is a much more relaxed one!
Happy Anniversary! That is cool that you guys work well under stress, a very good trait to have.
Thank you Hausfrau! I sincerely cannot fathom next year being anything but more relaxed than the year we have had. So far, so good!
Thank you Andrew, it sure it a good thing these things pull us together, rather than apart. Who knows where we’d be otherwise?
Happy Anniversary! And what a fun way to spend it… the farm-restaurant looks incredible by the way (has a mouthwatering menu!)
Love this post! Happy anniversary! Wishing you many years of happiness and adventure ahead!