Our Third Wedding Anniversary: Lessons Learned (So Far!)
This week (on the 19th, to be more precise) my husband Andrew and I will be celebrating our third wedding anniversary. Having been together for over five years and now married for three, it feels like we’ve known each other for a lifetime (but also for just a few moments!) Time has flown by, and though we’re only three years into our marriage journey we’ve learned a few valuable lessons, and I assume we’ll just keep on learning, growing, and changing as time goes on— and I’m so thankful to simply be along for the ride.
Our wedding day at Weathered Ground Brewery, 11/19/17 (Photo by Ethos Photography)
Our third year of marriage: a pandemic, a dog, and more
In our three years of marriage Andrew and I have done a lot. We’ve traveled to nearly 10 countries together, moved to a new city wherein we knew absolutely no one (and had to build our social circles + careers from the ground up), raised our cat from kitten to adult, adopted a dog and a snake, laughed, cried, and everything in between— and though it’s only been a few years, we’ve learned so much. Let me list a few of the most important (IMO) lessons we’ve learned, here:
Always laugh together. Don’t ever let the jokes, the laughter, the lighthearted conversations and the little flirtations cease. They keep you smiling day in and day out and create a sense of community and comfort (which you and your spouse will rely on heavily during tough times, such as 2020.)
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Cliche´ and simple, this is a golden rule in any relationship. If something genuinely bothers you it’s always valid to express your feelings in a healthy way, but don’t sweat really small stuff. Don’t let the everyday stressors of life make you and your partner feel like your home is a battleground, when it should be your place of rest, comfort, and grounding support.
Always speak your truth, even if it’s hard. Yet another simple (but life-altering) solution: just say what’s on your mind, share your feelings often, and don’t keep things from one another. Even if a conversation is difficult to have, it’ll be even more difficult down the road once resentment and/or bottled-up feelings start to kick in. Air it out (in a healthy way) as often as needed, and then resolve to find a solution and move on.
We are by no means perfect (I mean, who is?) and have our fair share of squabbles over day-to-day things, but I truly believe it’s the three “golden rules” above that have made Andrew and I feel incredibly close to one another over the course of our marriage thus far. He’s my best friend. The last three years have flown by, and sometimes I wish I could slow them down a little (just to have a little more time with him), but I cherish every moment. I hope you all and your loved ones find the time and space to do the same, even in a year like this.
We had a lovely party following our wedding ceremony at Weathered Ground Brewery. Still the happiest day of my life thus far!
Xoxo, MM.