Happily Ever Following

Gushy Anniversary Post – Sorry, Not Sorry

It’s November 7th, 2019. Exactly one year of forever following my photographer. So if you’re the weak-stomach type around affectionate lovey-dovey posts, feel free to skip this one. (But please don’t give up on me entirely!)

One year. Yikes. In some ways, it feels like we were just married yesterday. But it also feels like we’ve been together forever. Just when I think I know everything there is to know about my man, I learn something brand-spankin’ new.

I did a ‘What you my not know about the man’ type Instagram post before.. including little factoids like: Christian likes his eggs over-hard; Coke, not Pepsi; his favorite meal is a burger and fries and he considers Reese’s to be a food group etc.

So considering it’s been one year since we’ve been married, I thought I’d share a few more facts about him, me and us.

You *might* have noticed a slight age difference between Christian and me. Yes, it is a larger number than I’d like. But seriously though. It’s just a number. I grew up listening to the same music he grew up with, from Frank Sinatra classics to Led Zeppelin (I have pretty hip parents). I also grew up watching the same TV shows as he did like M.A.S.H. and Three’s Company and The Carol Burnett Show (again, super hip). We often joke about how it’s almost opposite.. like he acts like a 5 year old in the grocery store while I’m over here talking about “kids these days” and how my hip hurts when bad weather is coming. The universe has a sense of humor, that’s for sure.

Another tidbit you may not know, Christian was adopted at 6 months. Thankfully he was chosen by two beautiful, God-fearing parents who love him. Giles and Darlene Dalbec are loving and kind and so generous. He learned to be a man of integrity from his dad and he learned the importance of marrying a good help meet from his mom (granted these lessons didn’t really sink in until he got sober.. but he still learned them!)

I, on the other hand, have two wonderful parents and two pretty great step-parents. They all taught me their own sets of lessons. My mom takes the cake however. She is so strong, so beautiful, so positive and so so ginger. She taught me how to be a help meet and how to support my man while still being my own person. Thanks mama!

Of course Christian has a few quirks (as do I) which make me love him more and more every day:

• Christian prefers to drink his coffee out of a Pilsner glass (um.. why?)- with a cozy that I crocheted (I also knit and sew) just for him. (with the word ‘Explore’)
• He only owns 3 pairs of pants and 2 sweatshirts. He considers this a versatile wardrobe. It took getting married to get him an extra pair! I’ve tried. You guys, I’ve really tried.
• He learned to play the piano in about 1 week (After he acquired a piano – for me!)
• If at all possible, we try to watch ‘Jeopardy!’ and ‘Wheel of Fortune’ every day.
• His favorite type of dog is a Border Collie (I want a Mini Aussie)
• He *requires* 5 scoops of ice cream (Sea Salt Caramel from Kwik Trip) with perfectly drizzled chocolate and sea salt caramel topping for dessert (which his wife begrudgingly provides)

While I on the other hand require 3 cups of green tea, 1.5 hours of reading time and a solid 1 hour yoga practice to feel like a functional human being.

Marriage teaches us contrast as well as partnership. I honestly could not imagine a better partner for myself than my freaking awesome, talented photographer. I work everyday to be the partner he needs to keep doing what he’s doing.

If I don’t have dinner ready, he doesn’t eat. If I don’t offer him breakfast, he doesn’t eat it. (You realize food is kind of the source of life, right?!) I’m his personal chef, coffee maker, nutritionist, maid, bookkeeper, receptionist, movie buddy and life partner (marriage, right?!). I wouldn’t trade a minute of this life with him.

It’s not like I just give and never get.. Christian has been my constant source of love and safety. His arms are my home. He has made me laugh while I feel like crying and he has loved me in my unworthiness. Christian is an aspiring “sit-down comic” you just can’t take life too seriously around this guy. His sunrises are out-of-this world. And his jokes…. well. Just checking in with him today I asked him if he’d showered. He said, “No. But I thought about it. So clean thoughts, right?”

Ha.

Right.

Yep. That’s Christian. Clown Photographer Extraordinaire.

In all seriousness, I’ve said it so many times before: I respected Christian before I fell in love with him. I have no regrets. None. I found a quote once that said, “Two souls are sometimes created together and in love before they’re even born.” I truly feel this fits Christian and Me to a T. I wish the whole world could feel the sense of connection, peace and wholeness I feel from our relationship. I hope a little peek into our world provides some momentary light into your world.

Don’t worry.. We’re still watching for deer. 😉