Thirteen Years

Today is our wedding anniversary. Thirteen years ago I stood in my mom’s bathroom and put on my brand new Clinique eye shadow. I went to my sister’s room to dress because it was the coolest room in the house. I wasn’t nervous. I wasn’t anxious. I wasn’t scared. I’d seen marriages, good marriages, throughout my life so I knew what I was getting myself into.

I thought.

I knew he made me laugh. I knew he wasn’t perfect. I knew he knew I was far from it too. I knew he loved me anyway. I knew we could laugh at ourselves. I knew we could sacrifice for one another. I knew I was marrying my best friend.

I thought I knew what to expect.

I actually had no idea.

Neither of us did I’m guessing. I look at those pictures of those young kids (seriously) and I think, man are they in for it.

I could go on and on about the  work and the sacrifice and the growing pains. But I won’t. Know why? Because in thirteen years, what I’ve learned more than anything is that we have one thing that matters above all else and no, it isn’t love.

Thirteen years ago our candle was engraved with this: Today I marry my best friend.

Thirteen years later, when all the dust settles, I’m still married to my best friend.

And that is what matters most.