Friday, March 9, 2007

Eight Amazing Years



Today I have been married for eight years. I can't let the day get away from me without recording a few thoughts. Eight years sounds like a very long time and while it hasn't felt long, when I think back to who I was eight years ago, I realize it has been a long time. I am a much different person now than I was then. A lot has happened in my life in the last eight years and I was not alone in my adventures.

Denten has been beside me as we completed our undergraduate education, fumbled through a few short-term jobs trying to figure out what we were going to do with our lives, moving across the country and embarking on not only formal graduate education, but real-life lessons as well. We listened to each other's classroom discussion topics, edited papers, tried to keep the TV turned down as the other studied and found our way to yet another graduation. We have faced the challenges of infertility together and with great positivity and faith, we have seen ourselves combined in our little boy and are in awe that he is the result of the two of us. We celebrated together at finally owning a home and having a real job. We've spent summers apart persuing different aspects of our education and have learned that life is better together most of the time.

Denten is a quiet strength that pushes forward steadily balancing the part of me that is often all over the place. He is hard-working, thoughtful and deliberate in his speech. He is a quiet servant of the Lord, knowing that obedience brings blessings. He is compassionate to those who society often discriminates against and is an advocate to the minority. He believes in equal rights and opportunities and is quick to call out an unfair statement and come to one's defense. I love him for that.

His body was born with a magnet for adventure. He needs his mountains on a regular basis. Hunting, archery, fishing, water-skiing, golfing, biking, knitting (yes, knitting), dancing, photography, basketball... all part of the man I married.






His interests may not always match up with mine, but one of the best parts of our relationship is the freedom we have to be ourselves, to pursue the activities our hearts desire and not have to conform for one another. We have often received comments from our friends that say I am "so nice" to "let" Denten go _____(whatever the activity may be) and we are puzzled by that. I don't "let" him or not "let" him do things. I am not his mother and he's not 10... We are both grown-ups who consult each other and appreciate that we are individuals who have a need to get out once in a while. I don't need permission to go out with my friends and don't have to feel guilty for doing so. We must have had good role models in our parents who showed us how a marriage is a true parternership with equal give and take.







Denten is an amazing and involved father. Our son astounds us every day and watching the two of them laugh together is truly the reason I'm here. We share a desire to add to our family and I am grateful for the security he brings to us. Something that I don't think about on a daily basis, but enables me to go through my days in peace is the consistent way my husband honors his priesthood and the spirit that is present in our home.


We take a little peek back in time together each year and recall the day we were sealed for eternity. I remember feeling like I was in a dream when we were being married; I remember how I loved my dress, but not my hair; I remember how my stomach was so nervous I threw up on the temple grounds in the bushes during pictures; then stumbled on my dress and fell flat on my face... oh, it was a great day... I remember we were both nauseated the next day on the plane and a flight attendant asked if I was pregnant. We looked at each other and said, "I hope not!" I remember that we spent the majority of our honeymoon in bed, and not because we were "honeymooning," but because denten had an incredibly high fever for three days. We did eventually leave the hotel and enjoy the surroundings and we have some great memories.

I couldn't have done much better choosing the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with- Babe, I love you today.

10 comments:

Mandy said...

Such a nice tribute to your husband! My husband and I will be married 8 years in July. I feel like we have always been together and can't imagine not having him in my life.

I love the picture of your husband and son together. So precious!

tenacious d said...

Happy anniversary! That was a lovely essay.

Particularly now with Rowdy leaving for Iraq, we get that, "I can't believe you're letting your husband do that" line. Let, schmet! It's something that will help his career and give him the opportunity to have an adventure that will enrich him in many ways. Heck yeah! Spouses are supposed to support each other. I feel sorry for people who are in that restrictive type of relationship.

Emily said...

Happy Anniversary Ambers. Love the thoughts, love the pics.

I too wonder when people say things like that or when they tell me how good Mark is to let me go and do things while he "babysits" the kids. He gets so mad when someone says he is babysitting our kids, he says I'm not babysitting I'm their Dad! I think we are so blessed to have marriages where both spouses understand this concept. Lots don't and it makes for such a hard road. Hope your day was special!

Amy said...

"Denten is a quiet strength that pushes forward steadily balancing the part of me that is often all over the place." I love this line. That's how I feel about my husband. Beautiful words...I Love that your husband knits!

Price Cream Parlor said...

What a sweet tribute to your husband and your life together!

Kelly said...

Happy Anniversary! Such sweet words and tender thoughts about your husband. I love the photo of him and tiny baby Cooper sleeping.

My Rags to Riches said...

I have only been married a little over a year. I am eager to grow with my husband the way you have with yours. We are at the beginning of the road still, but you make it sound so exciting!!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely, heartfelt tribute to your man!
Has he had a chance to read it? :)

bryn said...

we too are coming up on eight years; my how time flies when you are having fun. (well ok when you are in grad school, living away from home, having a child etc. etc.) all fun, but consuming activites! congrats on the happy years - you are a great match.

Emily said...

Hey, where are you?! I need a dose of Amberly at least a few times a week!