November 3, 2010

Seven Years (and two days) Ago.


baby chris and baby em.


I've been with the man for twelve years now (due to the interminable dating process we subjected ourselves to when we were hardly old enough to be trusted with driving cars) and still to this day I have moments- while I'm washing dishes at the sink or folding laundry- when I can't believe that we GOT our happy ending.

The journey to our wedding day was a struggle of epic proportions and I feel like it would be more apt to say that we limped down the isle rather than walked. But that moment when we said 'I do" was like a gut-wrenching battle cry of victory. Things trembled and things exploded in triumph.

And we all cried like babies.

We got married on the day after Halloween, which meant our rehearsal dinner fell on a night of masks and costumes. I never expected that the next seven years (and counting) would be a process of learning to remove all my layers of masks and disguises so that I could love and be loved in deeper ways. I'm reminded of that truth on every single anniversary... now as I am putting the kid's costumes back up in the closet after another year of festivites.

That's what marriage has been for me these past seven years...

A peeling away.

A baring of self.

A laying aside of armor.

What an intensely wonderful thing.

24 comments:

♡Shayla♡ said...

Congratulations on 7 down and many more to come!
Such an encouraging post, Emery! The emotion and heart in it maaaaay have made me tear up just a little bit. So wonderful.

Congratulations, again, on your happy life together!

cece said...

Emery! you were such a beautiful bride - you didn't look like you were limping. what an encouraging story and a testament to what marriage can be!

Unknown said...

this is such a beautiful post. i love what marriage has been for you. it's clear that you and your husband are growing closer each year. thank you for sharing this, and happy anniversary!
~Andrea

beca said...

Incredible and so honest. Not sugar coated, and I love that! congratulations.

Bevin @ allisbright.com said...

This is really beautiful.

larisaa said...

This is beautifully written. =] Congratulations on seven years, may many more come your way.

Lexi said...

what a precious post! congratulations on 7 years!

kimberlea faye said...

absolutely beautiful. love it.

annafit4life said...

your words bring life! never stop writing till you can bind them all up in a book for people to cherish for years to come.

Stephanie said...

Such beautiful pictures. Congratulations Emery! xoxo

Heidi said...

So so lovely. What a great tribute to getting there, and then beyond.

Althea said...

Well said! Happy anniversary, and yes, here's to many many more years to come!

Lauren said...

Congratulations! I wish you both many more years of happiness and love: )

Megan said...

What a beautiful post darling!!!
Congrats on your anniversary and here is to 50 more!!! :)
Have a lovely day,
xoxo

Bavonia said...

You look so beautiful on your wedding day and you still do :)
Congrats to you and your hubby for making it work every day, its work! Much love and happiness to you both!
xo
Heather

Amber said...

SO beautiful.

Jessica said...

This post is beyond sweet. Congrats on your anniversary!

And you are absolutely right that marriage is about pulling back layers and letting down guards. Five years in, and I am still working on those same things, and I suspect I always will be.

shawni marie said...

Just got chills reading this. What a beautiful way to describe your relationship. I believe that is what REAL love is all about, letting go. letting go of yourself and embracing each other. Thank you for sharing.

Liz said...

Beautifully put!

Amy @ AGirlCalledBeloved said...

beautiful post! Congrats on 7 yrs.

Lil Muse Lily said...

happy anniversary!!!

sandy said...

Congratulations! The post and pictures are beautiful!

KillerB said...

Happy anniversary!

Molly Page said...

Your wedding photo is so incredibly beutiful. You look blissful.
Your words are so encouraging to me. Sometimes it feels like our marriage is the ONLY one that is this tough and this wonderful for the exact same reasons. It's good to know we are not alone.