Ten Years

It’s not every day that someone gets married. I mean, people get married every day, but for each individual, it doesn’t happen often. In fact, most hope it only happens once. Ten years ago last weekend, I got married. For some moments, I can recount the details as though it was yesterday. For other moments, it feels like another lifetime ago. ‘Tis the roller coaster that’s life, right?

There are, of course, a billion discussions on the topic of how to make it work, how to make it last, how to make it. Please bear with me while I get a little sentimental. As I got ready that day 10 years ago, I wanted to defy the statistics. I wanted to be right about what I was about to do. But it really is anybody’s guess. How can you really know someone that well to know you’ll be able to navigate life together for the rest of your life? You don’t know how life will change the one you’ve chosen, how they’ll handle curve balls. The odds are definitely against a couple who couple.

I don’t have ready answers for how to “make it work.” But I do know that 10 years ago, I was giddy. I couldn’t wait to walk down that aisle and whisper my handwritten vows.

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The excitement and joy I felt and the crystal-clear feeling I had that all was soooo right in the world turned into an effort to keep from crying.

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I mean, we were on top of the world, at the top of a wheat field, on the farm I grew up on.

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I felt pretty lucky about a lot that day.

And here we sit, 10 years later. A dear family friend took our two girls to the lake for the weekend. We contemplated for months all the marvelous places we’d go to celebrate being childless. Then we decided that one of the things we never get to do is be on vacation in our lovely little hometown.

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So… we stay-cationed it. We enjoyed our favorite dinners and frequented our fav breakfast nook. We even visited our little local bookstore hand-in-hand for his copy of the Sunday New York Times and my copy of a good beach-y summer read.

We took a few moments to remember that I am still loved and so is he. Rejuvenating, invigorating, inspiring, encouraging, to say the least.

I’m sure that someone who has accomplished 20, 30, or 40 years can say “Get ready for the long haul.” But I’d like to say that the first long haul that is 10 years has been worth it. And as long as most days, the pros outweigh the cons, celebrating a milestone with someone you love feels pretty awesome! I’m still feeling lucky and ready for the next long haul, especially if I get to share it with this guy.

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  1. Winnie Nielsen says:

    Congratulations Megan on your 10th Anniversary! You are so correct in that the navigating of each day and each storm is nothing you can predict or prepare for. Most of the time, it is blind trust and hand holding. But challenge makes us a better couple, and gives an opportunity to find out where our real bottom lines are located and where our hearts are best at assessment. I think marriage is part work and part an art form. And as you know, art evolves to become a beautiful piece of work; ever changing, always in progress and, never static. Best Wishes to you and Lucas for another beautiful 10 year ride!!

    • Megan says:

      Winnie, thank you. It is a project in progress, a piece of artwork. Pretty sure it will always be my favorite piece. 🙂

  2. Connie-Killarney says:

    AWWWWWWWWW What a Perfect Wedding! The pictures just captivate me!! and you have been blessed with 2 of the greatest gifts we get in this life!! Happy Anniversary!!

    Sincerely, Connie

  3. Thayes Hower says:

    Congratulations on your first decade! My husband and I celebrated 40 this year. Celebrate every year, every week and every day. I hope you are even more in love every year as we have found we are.

  4. CJ Armstrong says:

    Congratulations you two! I have so loved meeting . . . and hugging . . . you both! You, Lucas and your girls are a treasure of a family! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!

    By the way, my hubby and I will celebrate 46 years in December! 😀
    CJ

  5. What a beautiful love story, Congratulations!
    Lots of farmgirl Hugs from Colorado.

  6. My husband Tom and I will be married 40 years August 24th, and I would not trade one single day or do anything different. It is our life, our journey and I am so Blessed to have the wonderful man for my husband, and our wonderful Son Kent.
    Meg, I wish you and your husband many more years of blessings and love.
    Debbie

  7. Cathy R says:

    Congratulations! It’s great to look at the “long haul” one glorious day at a time! That’s how years later you are still magically in LOVE and enjoying the roller coaster ride of your life! We will be celebrating #39 this year. The last ten have been on our Idaho hill where we bask in heavenly blessings continuously! How delightful to celebration with a ‘stay-cation’! May God’s blessings of love and joy overflow on your little family!

  8. Karlyne says:

    Lovely, Megan!

  9. Debbie says:

    Happy Anniversary you two! I loved your story, Meg…From a gal who is approaching her ” 25th” with my guy, we wish you many blessings for the long haul… It’s not really a haul when you are a good match. It’s more like a Sunday drive, with a few pot holes here and there! Enjoy the ride! Much love,
    Deb ( and her handsome Yankee, Boz )

  10. Belated Congratulations to you both. You still sound so in love and that is the important part. may you have many more decades together to come!

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