February. Before I got married, it didn't mean a ton to me. In school, I'd make my Valentine's Day box and look forward to an afternoon school party. I knew that the day after was my parent's anniversary. Other than that, it was just a month.
When I was 16, it came to mean the month that my sister would pass away. The month that changed our family forever. More on that in another post...just for her.
Then it became to be my anniversary as well. I wanted to be an October bride. I wanted the fall colors and crisp air - not red and white with snow on the ground. Jonathon was in Iraq and we had thought he'd get leave earlier or later than February. He had wanted to get married on leave - which was crazy to me, because how do you plan a wedding without a date?! I had agreed though. He called me one day, telling me his leave was sooner than expected. I told him I'd have to think about it. I said I didn't know if I could get it together that soon (the arrangements AND my mind). He called me back later, and I told him I was still on board. Jonathon told me something I will never forget. "Oh good, I was so worried that you were going to say you wouldn't marry me and we should wait now." Silly boy...there was nothing I wanted more than to be yours forever.
We had a lot of factors going against us. A lot of negativity in general. We not only made it - but we were stronger because of it. Iraq was a hard time - in some ways, he and I will never be the same. And in others, I'm so glad we're not.
He and I are surely opposites. We can find a disagreement just about anywhere. We have different backgrounds, interests, favorites and dislikes - but one thing we always knew is that we couldn't be without the other. Being married to him has shown me who I am and who I want to be. He has taught me patience and love, and I in turn showed him trust how to look at the big picture - not just today.
I love that he plans hunting trips with my dad. I like that he and my mom can joke around. I love watching him play with our beautiful boy. Mostly, I love that at the end of the day, he's the last person I think about and pray for and the first email I read in the morning.
I'm not exactly sure what path that the Lord has provided for us yet. I'm not sure where we'll be next year - or next month for that matter. But I pray that the path is a peaceful one - where Jonathon and I walk it hand in hand.
