Happy 8th Anniversary!

Brandon and I have been married for 8 years. 8 years feels like a long time, even if we're still young and have much marriage to experience. I'd like to give my two cents anyway. ;) I thought I'd share 8 things (see what I did there?) I've learned from being married. I completely believe in the institution of marriage and believe it has the potential to be one of the greatest sources of joy on this earth. Right, Brandon? Brandon?

Okay, here we go...

1. You never "arrive" at marriage. Yeah, I've told this to MANY people, but it's because I believe it so strongly!  Marriage is a living thing. It's constantly evolving and just like a plant, dog, or human being, it needs to be nourished and cared for- ALWAYS. 

2. You're spouse is the MOST IMPORTANT person in your life. Yes, even more important than your children (gasp! wha? No!). Some may disagree with me here and that's fine. But my experience has been that when I make Brandon my priority, we're happier, the children are happier, our home is happier, job is happier, dishes are happier...no, really. The. Dishes. Are. Happier. 

3. Say I'm sorry. Say I'm sorry again. And again. And again. Chances are there's gonna come a point where you have a choice- be right or be kind. You may feel justified in your feelings, but the power of a simple "Hey, I'm sorry." can move mountains. Seriously. Two words. 

4. There is a HUGE difference between communicating and communicating effectively. A favorite quote by the great Stephen Covey: "Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply." When I first heard this, it was like a lightbulb went on in my head. Next time you're discussing something and things aren't necessarily getting resolved, perhaps do a little self inventory of how well you're listening. You'd be amazed at what you're missing, because you've been so focused on what you're going to say next. 

5. Intimacy is Important. And that's with a capital "I", folks. P.S. Sex isn't the only form of intimacy. But.. yeah, sex is important too. (I think my father-in-law just went a bright shade of red). Make it a priority. Whatever that means for you two. Be open. Be honest. Have fun. Have at it. ;)

6. Date your spouse. I feel kind of hypocritical mentioning this, because once children joined the picture, we weren't super great about making date nights a priority. But, we've started up again and it's seriously refreshing. Flirt. Flirt hard. Hold hands, wear your brightest lipstick and cutest heels (unless that's not your thing. Do your thing.), laugh and giggle, wink, and play footsies. And then get excited that you don't have to say goodbye after the your date, because YOU'RE MARRIED! Which also means you share a bed. (Ahem, #5...) 

7. Laugh. So, Brandon has this really dry, sarcastic sense of humor that can make me laugh until I'm on the floor, in pain and crying. And I love it. We have these little inside jokes and he'll mention something and I'll just lose it. Laughing is one of my FAVORITE things in the world and I'm lucky enough to have a husband that can make me laugh hard. He's just the best. 

8. Love your choice. I'm sure you've heard the famous quote by Thomas S Monson "Choose your love, love your choice." So, what does that mean? True love is more than the world's greatest kiss or the sweetest "I do." True love is charity. And charity suffers long and is kind. It doesn't envy. It's not puffed up. It is not easily provoked and thinks no evil. It rejoices in truth, not in iniquity. It bears all things, believes all thing, hopes all things, and endures all things. Charity never fails. And I would dare bet that a marriage consistently nourished by charity would endure forever and happily ever after. 

Happy 8 years, my darling Brandon. 

Love,

Megan