Now, That's Real Love

Love is a funny thing.  It pops up in all sorts of strange places.  It comes when we least expect it.  It causes us to act in funny ways.  It makes us say funny things.  It makes us put others before ourselves.  It makes us smile.  It makes us sad.  It makes us happy. It makes us giddy.  It makes us who we are.

Exactly 5 years ago today, I was anxiously awaiting the start of my NEW life, with my NEW husband, with my NEW house, with my NEW dreams, with my NEW everything.  I remember the day like it was yesterday.  The most important people in my life were anxiously awaiting right there with me.  They were ready to dab away nervous tears, fix any last minute dress issues, sign their names as witnesses and hold bouquets when they need to!

I have had the privilege of being married to my best friend for 5 years today.  We've created a life together.  We created a son together.  We have created so many darn memories, I'm afraid my head will get full and I'll start to forget them. 

I'm not the mushy-gushy-marriage-is-pure-bliss-and-we've-never-fought-and-are-always-as-happy-as-we-seem kind of gal.  I'm gonna be real.  Marriage is hard.  Really HARD.  But there has not been a trial we've gone through, a path we've journeyed or a trail we've walked that I would trade for the world. 

Each step we've taken together, or those we've gone fighting against one another, has gotten us to the point we are today.  A point that I love.  I get to go to sleep and wake up next to my best friend each and every day.  (Okay, let's be realistic...not EVERY day...)

So as the  big day was approaching upon us, Dave was putting a lot of thought into the perfect gift.  I know this because he kept asking random (but I was onto him) kind of questions that were just odd.

Last Wednesday, in an all sorts of serious manner, this is the conversation we had at dinner.

Dave--"Hey Babe.  I've put a lot of thought into your gift and I know what I'm going to get you for our anniversary."
Me--"Ok, but I'd like to be surprised."  (He's not always the best at waiting until the big day for any holiday!)
Dave--"I know, but I think you're really going to like it."
Me--"Ok, (still trying to get him to keep it a secret) but let's wait until Saturday."
Dave--(In an explosive manner, because he simply can't keep it in) "I'm going to let you put up the Christmas Tree on Saturday."
Me--(As I'm running up to hug him!) "YES!!!! You were so right in figuring out the perfect gift!  And that is why I love you."

Now, before everyone starts blowing up my phone yelling about not putting up the Christmas Tree yet...we haven't put it up.  But that doesn't mean we aren't going to.  Soon.  Very soon!  Because now I don't have to fight about when it's appropriate to put it up.  We're good to go."

And that my friends, is REAL LOVE.