Adventure

The adventure begins! 9/28/07

Today is my husband's and my third wedding anniversary. I had to laugh at the fourth person who asked me "So, where are you going for your anniversary?" because it's just assumed that we will hop in a car and drive somewhere to "get away from it all," last-minute-style, for our special day. Alas, we have decided to go no farther than Independence (roughly 17 minutes away) for a lovely dinner at LockKeepers, then have a movie night at home. To me, that sounds just perfect this time around. After all, we are going on a cruise in a couple months, so no need to completely bleed our bank account dry!

Let me tell you a bit about my husband, and what makes me pretty sure he's a keeper. Yesterday, I sent an e-mail with the subject line "Adventure!" that linked to a story about Virgin Galactic's near completion of testing its commercial spaceship. In a half-serious exclamation, I vowed I'd make it on one of those flights to space one day (of note: the only reason it's half-serious is because it comes with a $200,000 price tag. For now.) He replied with an equal-hearted "OK, but can we climb Mt. Everest first? It's only half the price!" (Also of note: we have never actually been mountain climbing - aside from the Salisbury Crags in Edinburgh, which I don't think count.)

Now, that alone is pretty indicative that we are soul mates. But it gets better. We took the e-mail thread a little further by discussing mountains in the United States that could be our "warm ups" for Everest. By the third e-mail, we had actual vacation plans starting to emerge - to the Smokey's, Colorado, and culminating in California and Alaska for the Big Ones. Our mentality: Why Not? This is one of the many reasons I love my husband.

We have been to so many different places together, and we're excited to discover new places as we continue our greatest trip of all - marriage. It is an adventure. And he is my guide - helping me make the decisions that will give me a thrill, but not kill me; letting me go off on my own but holding my hand when things get rocky and dangerous; there every step of the way. Some people wonder how we have been together for eight years (including dating) and are so happy, especially since we went through college together and first jobs, and many of life's biggest stresses. Some people are sickened by our saccharine relationship. But I'll tell you this much: it took a while for me to really, really understand just how lucky I am, and I am still discovering my husband every day. He surprises me with how in tune to my psyche he is. He surprises me with how much he puts up with me (make no mistake, and I'm sure this is shocking to find out, but I am NO peach to live with!). He surprises me with how he is not only a fantastic Mr. Fix-It, chef, adventurer, hard-worker, bread-winner, but he is also the most understanding, patient and caring person I've ever met. And best of all, he is my best friend. He's there cheering me on every step of the way, laughing with me, and lending a shoulder or a giant hug when I need it.

So, this one is dedicated to my partner in life for adventures large and small, near and far, happy and sad. Thank you for all you do.