17 Years

Darrell and I have been married for 17 years- it so crazy! This last week I had a lot of things going through my mind, lot's of memories. 

Our dating was short, our engagement was short, but here we are at 17 years. Most people thought we were crazy, but we knew it was right so we didn't want to put it off longer than we needed to. 

I thought about all the things I have learned about marriage, it's a lot harder than I thought it would be- but in a good way. Anything in life that is hard helps us to grow and be better, and it's the same with marriage. Darrell and I have learned our differences make our marriage stronger and better, if we work as partners and listen to each other. When we don't listen is when it's hard. When we got married I had never lived anywhere but home or with family- I never learned to budget or pay attention to money. I never learned how to cook. I still hate money, but I can honestly say I have learned the importance of a budget, and planning where your money is going. I have learned how to cook a real meal. I used only make Hamburger Helper, then I got a little more brave and made a few Chicken Helper meals. That was our first couple years of marriage, and generally there weren't any fruits or vegatables because I didn't like them, so I didn't cook them. I remember being so excited one night because I baked chicken breasts and seasoned them- and they didn't burn. I called Darrell at work and told him I was actually going to cook, so he came home really excited for a big meal. I lit candles and set the table, and put the food on the plates while waiting for him to get home. He walked in and I'm sure he had a hard time not laughing because my meal consisted of a chicken breast- that was it. No salad, or anything- just a chicken breast and sauce to dip it in. He never complained, and always made me feel good about me learning in the kitchen.

Another memory I have been chuckling about this week was when he taught me how to mow the lawn. He would spend hours out in the yard and I wanted to learn to help. He was in school full time, working full time, and was busy with church callings. His time in the yard took away from time he and I had together- and our 2 girls time with their dad. I think it was for our 3rd anniversary I decided to surprise him with dinner (by this time I was doing better at cooking a side with the main dish), the yard mowed, and the kids asleep so we could have dinner alone. He usually got home around 8 pm, so I had all day to get everything done. I called a neighbor to see if she would keep an eye on my girls while I mowed the lawn- they were 1 and 2 at the time and I didn't want them to wander out and into trouble while I mowed. She was pregnant with her first baby, and her husband was deployed so she was happy to get out of her house. I went out and got the mower started, mowed a strip of grass- then I didn't know how to turn it with out it going in the dirt right by our yard. I turned the mower off and asked my friend if she knew, she gave me a few tips and I went back out to carry on. I moved the mower out of the grass to start it, but unfortunately I moved it on a big rock I didn't see. I started it and it made the worst sound ever, and the smell was just bad. I knew I did something very wrong. I couldn't get it restart again, it was dead- really dead. After a while I decided I better just get dinner done- I knew I could handle that. When he came home it was dark so he didn't notice the one patch of grass mowed, and I had to tell him that for our anniversary we needed to buy a new lawn mower. He laughed and went out to see the damage- and sure enough I had killed the mower. 

We have helped each other through grief, tragedy, anger, frustration- but we also have enjoyed happiness, fun, laughter, joy, and love together. Our marriage is perfect for us, we even each other out. We help each other to be better people, better friends, and better parents. I am so thankful for him, and our marriage. We have truly been blessed these 17 years!