12 Years

Monday was our twelve year wedding anniversary. Throughout the weekend, we looked at each other and laughed at how we have been together for so long - add 4 years of dating and 3 years of friendship prior to that.

Ryan and I are VERY different people. We bring "the opposites attract" to a whole new level. Over the years, we have moved toward the middle, but it has been a long, slow and sometimes painful process. We may be polar opposites in the way in which we go about doing things, but we have the same values about almost everything. Our views on how to spend money, raise children and other major issues are similar.

As parents, we have complemented each other with raising Ben, supporting one another when needed. Ryan is the crisis handler and I am the administrator. Ryan accompanies Ben to most medical procedures and I advocate for services for Ben. For us, the way to manage Ben's special needs has not been a cause of marital stress. Luckily, we have been able to support one another in the emotional stress that accompanies raising a child with disabilities.

In marriage, every day is work. Ryan and I have worked hard to get where we are today. And we still can do better and will continue to try.