Nine

October 14th will mark nine years that Jody and I have been married.  

NINE years!  

Where in the world has the time gone?  It literally seems like yesterday that we were twenty-two years old, getting married and wondering what the rest of our lives would look like together.  Over the years, we have definitely learned that life is full of surprises--both the good, and the wow, we've got to look at this really closely to see if we can squeeze a blessing out of it kind.  But no matter what, I think we can both look back and say that we're glad we've had each other to get through each and every event that life has thrown our way.  So today, I want to share with you why I'm so blessed to call Jody my husband.  

He Makes Me Stronger

"You're a Wilson.  You've got this."  

If I had a dollar for every time I've heard those words, I'd be one rich lady. Jody is constantly reminding me that I'm stronger and worthier than I think, and it's his constant encouragement that pushes me to be my best.  Sometimes I think that if I didn't have him by my side, I just might procrastinate forever.  Year Nine is going to be a big one for us, simply because he's always encouraged me to acknowledge my strengths and pursue my dreams.      

He's My Number One Fan

If there is one thing I can depend on Jody to be, it's supportive.  Whether it be with teaching, writing, or parenting, Jody always has my back.  He reminds me of what a great teacher I am on days when I'm not feeling so spiffy, he helps me remember that all of this writing will be worth it in the end, and he thinks that I am a wonderful mom and teammate in raising our boys.  Everyone needs that one special person who they can count on no matter what, and I'm so lucky that Jody is that person for me.   

He's Hardly Ever Serious (Like Ever)

And believe it or not, it's one of my favorite things about him.  He always knows how to take a crazy situation and turn it into something to laugh about.  Now, don't get me wrong.  Every now and then, when I'm sharing something particularly serious, I do have to give him my for real, though, look. And I'd say that at least 3 out of 10 times he'll straighten up and try to get real serious, real quick.  It's a livable percentage.       

He Cracks Me Up

Now, Jody has always made me laugh, but I do have to say that he's gotten even funnier as we've aged.  Of course, it may just be because he has so much good material to pull from in our eventful, little life; but either way, I'm thankful for his laughs, and they always seem to come at just the right time.  Like that day when our potty-training sessions didn't get off on quite the right start and he said that he wished we had four-year-old girls who were already potty-trained.  Or the fact that he always says "That's What She Said" jokes that make absolutely no sense because he knows that it annoys me.  I promise it's not funny at all.  (But, shhhhh, it really is.)      

He Isn't Perfect

And neither am I!  Of course there are going to be days when we can't agree on anything and drive each other crazy.  That's a part of any normal, healthy relationship.  The important thing is that no matter how much we may disagree, we can always agree on one thing:  we love each other.  

Just last night, Jody reminded me of a conversation that we had a few weeks after we first started dating.  He had said to me, "You know, I think you are the kind of person I could see spending the rest of my life with."  And I said, "You know what?  I was just thinking the same thing."  

And ever since, we've been more than content to be perfectly imperfect together. 

I love you, Jody.

One of my favorite pictures of the four of us.