Today, August 1, 2013 is our five year wedding anniversary. I donâ??t really look at these milestones as hugely momentous, but to some they are. Despite that, I love being married and love thinking back to the day we got married on the beach in Pismoâ?¦it was a pretty epic day of wine, food, partying, good times with a small wedding party, music, and starting our married life together barefoot in the sand.
Looking back over the past five years itâ??s hard to take it all in. Our life together has been filled with some travel, wine events, friends, family, food, music, and laughterâ?¦all culminating in what is our grand adventure together. I guess it would be safe to say that our wedding celebration was a good representation of how we live our lives!
We have a sign hanging in our house that says, â??Happiness is being married to your best friendâ?. Corny? Yes. True? Yes.
Regardless of the crappy times that weâ??ve had, (mostly caused by me and the depression I deal with at times) we always manage to come back to the middle. My personal philosophy on making a marriage work is remembering to communicate openly and often, laugh as much as possible at yourselves and each other, and remember that nothing is more important than being each otherâ??s best friend.
There truly is no other person Iâ??d rather hang out with, watch a movie with, raise a kid with, go wine tasting with, travel with, and annoyâ?¦than Annie. Is that sweet? Is that corny? Noâ?¦itâ??s just my life. Itâ??s my journey through this magical and sometimes brutally painful world.
I am where Iâ??m supposed to be.
I donâ??t always do it right but I show up every morning to try. We live in a time where people give up too easilyâ?¦I know, Iâ??m guilty of that too. Thereâ??s also a lack of looking inward and being aware of your flaws and being willing to address them. My life is worth working on those flaws. Annie is worth it. Being arrogant or ignorant enough to think that your shit donâ??t stink is simply asking online casino us slot invaders moolah for troubleâ?¦look in the mirror, realize that youâ??re a work in progress and keep trying. Cut yourself some slack and more importantly cut your spouse some slack (Annie, I’m still working on this one).
Five years after saying â??I doâ? on a beach in Pismo we have a 9.5 month old son. We own a home. Iâ??m biased but we have the best friends on the planet. Weâ??ve built an amazing community of people online and off line with Little Browne and Hoot n Annie. We still spend practically every minute together so long as weâ??re not at work. We talk endlessly and laugh often. We dream. And we plan more adventures.
I am where Iâ??m supposed to be.
This life is good if you can see past the crap and realize that it is that very crap that is here to test how badly you want this. If you fall short and get absorbed in all the negativity and drama you will miss the bus. Keep moving. Keep focused and positive. When times get tough or you screw up and let the negativity in, get back on the horse and move forward. Donâ??t dwell. Donâ??t stress. Whatever will be will beâ?¦adjust, overcome, adaptâ?¦move on.
Thereâ??s no manual. Itâ??s you and your partner rolling through this life trying to make today better than yesterday. Sometimes youâ??ll fail but sometimes you wonâ??t. Weâ??re all playing this same game. Having a badass community of friends and family around you really, really, really helps. Itâ??s good to have people in your life that push you and inspire you.
Annie and I are better as a couple because of all of you and in return we hope youâ??re better because of us. Thatâ??s the game, right? Relationships arenâ??t easy but you can certainly give yourself a solid foundation by doing some of these things I said above.
One last timeâ?¦I am where Iâ??m supposed to beâ?¦thanks to all of you for your continued support and friendship, and to Annieâ?¦Happy 5 Years!! Itâ??s been chaotic and crazy as well as fun and unimaginable. Itâ??s our storyâ?¦everyday a new page in that story. Cheers to the next chapter!!
Love this post – and love that you two (now 3!!!) have opened your lives to all of us to be inspired by what you do and who you are! Again, thank you for giving me such a wonderful sister! And now I have little Sammy, too (give him snuggles)! You said it so well – you are where you are supposed to be. The road to get there had some potholes and nice scenery, but I’m so glad you got where you are now. And many thanks to Annie for helping you stay the course! You guys rock!!!
Well said, Heather. And thank you. As I continue to say, this is such a surreal, amazing, chaotic journey…all the good, bad, and in between…amazing!!
I wish I had something smart to say. But you said it all. We don’t know each other but I definitely feel as a part of your “larger” circle of friends. I follow your journey and I am crossing my fingers for you guys. I have been as happy as you are. I have met my best friend and soul mate and, although we didn’t have a wedding on the beach barefoot, I was proposed to on the very beach, we finally moved closer to last year. And yes, last September, it has been 20 years since we said I do. I wish you with Annie many more years together, lots of patience to deal with all that crap that’s been thrown at us at all times. And to be strong when times are bad, and you already know they can be really bad.
Somehow, when you have a right partner besides you, your relationship grows even stronger because of those bad times you overcame together. Happy Anniversary, very nicely said!!! Who knows, maybe one day you will come to visit your wine friends down south!!
Vera, cheers to you and thank you. You are definitely part of this community and we appreciate it. It is indeed an interesting journey but as you say, having that right person with you truly makes everything worth it. I’m sure we’ll meet one day!! That will be fun. 🙂
Matt, you and Annie know how I feel about the three of you! I feel so fortunate to have met the 3 of you and that you share so willingly pictures of Sammy. You two rock as a couple, you have it so together. Everyone should have such a great marriage! And of course little Sammy just adds to your specialness. May you at least always be as happy as you are today I hope even happier and have a wonderful anniversary. I hope you have a babysitter tonight so that you can have some couple time alone. Congrats with love, Jo
You rock, Jo!! Thank you. We feel very fortunate and we also work very hard at this journey of ours. Very happy to have people like you on this journey with us. We do have a babysitter tonight, going to enjoy some dinner downtown tonight…just not sure where yet. 🙂
Matt, it’s probably too late now, but why don’t you do what we did? I bought a rotisserie chicken, cut up some veggies and fruits, grabbed bottle of Veuve Clicquot and we had the best anniversary dinner on the beach, ever! Maybe next time 🙂 Hope you are having fun!
It is too late, Vera BUT, we have done what you speak of. Valentines Day we typically hang out out home and cook…pick out an awesome wine or three and simply enjoy each others company. You are so right…those quiet at home moments often fit the bill.
That was beautiful Matt and I very much enjoy reading about your journey together with Annie and the wee one. That is EXACTLY what life is about.
Keep up the great work!!
Best Regards
Maureen
Very sweet of you, Maureen…I appreciate that. I think we spend too much time getting “all caught up in the game of life” rather than really enjoying the moments, good or bad. We all have problems but we’re all super blessed to be here and enjoy this journey with all those we come across. Cheers to ya!! 🙂
I was suggested this web site via my cousin. I am not positive whether or not this put up is written by means of him as no one else understand such designated approximately my difficulty. You are amazing! Thanks!|
651793 324797You produced some decent factors there. I looked on the internet for the issue and discovered most individuals will go along with along with your web site. 172584
304914 672826This internet site is generally a walk-through you discover the information it suited you about it and didnt know who require to. Glimpse here, and you will definitely discover it. 489745
758582 925406I dont normally have a look at these types of websites (Im a pretty modest person) – but even though I was a bit shocked as I was reading, I was surely a bit excited as nicely. Thanks for creating my day 408582
387295 561148Some genuinely superb weblog posts on this site , regards for contribution. 45712
565695 32921Id forever want to be update on new posts on this site , bookmarked ! . 788065
706103 738208Excellent post, Im looking forward to hear far more from you!! 107362
763867 63424I like what you guys are up too. Such smart work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys Ive incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my internet site 119947