Today is a totally normal day. We both have work. Daphne has gymnastics. Totally normal, and yet, there is so much to celebrate today.

Nine years ago, we high-fived our way into this marriage.

In our time together, we have been through a lot. Through all the hills and valleys, there is something that has always remained constant: Belief.

Belief that this relationship was more than a summer fling.

Belief that we made each other better people.

Belief that when one of us fell the other would be there to pick up the pieces and put us back together.

Belief that even in our darkest moments there was trust between us.

Belief that our love was meant to create this wonderful family life.

This year has had it’s ups and downs just like any other. But as I sit here reflecting, it really is the belief that we have in each other that has gotten us here. (Maybe our stubbornness too, but mostly belief.)

This year we saw George start preschool. We endured the loss of my grandpa. We watched the world turn upside down due to a pandemic.

There were so many moments in between that we laughed, cried, and were down right angry.

There have been instances where we have had to claw each other out of a dark hole, and others where we sit peacefully in amazement at how fortunate we are.

It’s amazing that even though we have been together for over a decade and our life has gotten seemingly comfortable, there is still so much to endure together. I continue to learn about Tom and how to make our marriage successful.

This year has been full of introspection and dreaming of our future. It has been a pivotal year and extremely personal making sure that we are heading in the right direction on our own paths but together as well.

Here’s to another year together, and one for the record books. I think year 10 is going to be a big one.