10 Things I have learned in 1 Year & 6 months of Marriage

I woke up today and realized it was the 17th and started adding in my head.. today Coach and I have been married for 1 year and 6 months.

It seems like yesterday we were putting together last minute things, me rushing out the door for pictures, (because all the men were late and I thought I was late when the photographer walked thru the door), waiting on my late groom for our First Look he was busy eating, talking with my Dad asking him how the chair situation was before our walk down the aisle, listening to my cousin's beautiful voice as we filled our mason jar for our Salt Covenant, being introduced for the first time as Mr & Mrs, dancing our tush's off, and being whisked off on a golf cart to begin our life together as one. 

I'm not going to sit here and pretend it has been a year of just absolute bliss.. there have been many ups and downs.. angry moments, happy moments, disappointing moments, gratifying moments.. 

In all that though, there have been learning moments.

Here are ten of those in no particular order.

1.

AGREE TO DISAGREE

There are going to be things from time to time that will not allow you to be on the same page. If you cannot come to an agreement, try to compromise or just save yourselves from all the arguing and agree to disagree.

2.

FORGIVE. FORGIVE. FORGIVE. THEN, FORGIVE SOME MORE.

No human is perfect. We both have done things that have been hurtful to one another. You can't keep hold of those things or hang those things over your spouse's head. Choose to forgive and forget and move forward. 

Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

3.

PICK YOUR BATTLES

You are going to fight, bicker, and argue. 

It is not worth it to pick on every. single. thing. that gets on your nerves. Remember you have quirks that irritates your other half too. Save the argument for something that is really important. Choose your battles wisely.

4.

COMMUNICATE

I think Coach would agree with me that we are still working on this one. Whether it's something that is as small as your plans for the day to something that is really bothering you.. communicate with your spouse! It just makes life easier.

5.

ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR SPOUSE

Tell him he's handsome. Thank him for those amazing cheesy eggs he makes you. Tell him how amazing the yard looks after a long day of cutting grass. Tell him what an awesome job he did coaching his players on the field. Ask him did he have a good day and how was practice.

You are your spouse's biggest cheerleader. Lift them up.

6.

CONTINUE TO DATE ONE ANOTHER

Dating doesn't stop once you get home from the honeymoon. Coach and I still have date nights.. and I still have fun learning things about him, especially his days of playing baseball. We are still learning and will continue to learn about and from one another. Leave love notes, send a sweet text, have a movie night at home cuddled up with one another, and no cell phones at dinner!

7.

KEEP GOD #1

God. Family. Children.

This is what we believe in and keeping God first and foremost in everything. We have watched Him rain down His blessings upon us because of this.. He is the ONLY one who can help our marriage, our problems, supply us of our every need. Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy, including marriages, and because of this, WE need HIM more than ever.

8.

MARRIAGE IS WORK

I may step on some toes here but I think at times some girls get wrapped up in 'idea' of a wedding.. the flowers, decorations, and the dress you have always dreamt of.. Marriage is HARD and it is WORK and something you CONTINUE to work on. You have to tend to your relationship like a garden, fertilize it, keep the weeds out.. water it and watch it GROW! It is definitely not a honeymoon 100% of the time. 

For better, for worse.. til death do us part.

9.

WE NEED A BIGGER BED

Or maybe just a bigger comforter. 

I steal the covers, he steals the covers. 

Oh look, you have half the comforter and the other half is in the floor.

10.

RELAX AND HAVE FUN!

I know I have been so up tight at times trying to be a good wife, do the right things, etc., that I have been way to serious and forgotten to just have fun. Don't forget to laugh and joke around with one another! Last night I know Coach was trying to finish getting some of his work done.. I kept trying to get kisses from him, picking on him, he started laughing, I started laughing, and it was just a great, fun moment. 

Shane, I am so thankful to have you and that your are mine. I know we have had our moments but I wouldn't go back and change one second of it, even if I could. It makes me happy to have you as my better half and go thru this thing called life with you right beside me. I wouldn't want to be going thru it with anyone else. I learn from you and continue to learn from you. You bring out the best in me and God knows you still love me at my absolute worst. I am so thankful we have supportive friends and family, praying for us and for our marriage. I pray we continue to keep God first, keep pushing forward, continue to date, keep learning from one another, and remember to laugh and have fun! God certainly blessed me with YOU! 

I love you to infinity and back with all my heart and soul.