Today I Met the Boy I'm Gonna Marry

They say your first year of marriage is in many ways the hardest. As I look back on ours I think that it was in some respects, but in others it was easier. One year ago today I remember a small, family-only wedding and feeling scared, excited, happy and the whole thing surreal. For that short time, it kind of felt like we were floating, and it was great. While I feel regretful at times by the way we got married (no friends and no reception), I know deep down that it was good as I remember that floating feeling.

During that break in Joe's training for Christmas exodus, I'd seen him one other time since August. In some ways it was as if I was marrying a stranger, what with his new haircut, figure, and long absence. He left town again just under a week after we got married, and I did not see him again until the weekend before Valentine's Day. After that it was the end of May when I saw him for two weeks, and then after a two week intermission, another three weeks. After parting again in July, I didn't see him again until late September when his training was complete, and since then I've pretty well clung to his side.

Missing him was not easy. I'd say that was the hardest part about our first year "together," but appreciating what we have and loving each other with a ferocity that only physical distance can provoke, well, I think that made it easier. What was important to each was the other, and that's what got us through the separation. However, while that's not always at the forefront of our thoughts in heated moments, we do always return to that place. Earlier in the day we had some of the worst miscommunications in a while, but it all melted away. And as we left the theater amidst the other crowds of folks filing out at the movie's end, I walked behind Joe, holding his hand so as to not lose him. It was there in a moment that I got that floating feeling again, looking at Joe and holding his hand, thinking to myself "I could not have picked a better husband." With that I poked him in the butt with my holding hand, to which he turned around smiling and said somewhat daringly, "Watch it."

Tell me what is my life
Without your love.
Tell me who am I
Without you
By my side.
- George Harrison