Happy Face

boots: dsw   skirt:  old navy   sweater: diy (tutorial here)

I'm pretty confident that I could dedicate at least a post a week about how Chris and I are different.  In so many ways we are complete opposites.

Here's yet another.

In high school there was this "joke."  I say that in quotes because while true, it didn't make me laugh.  Which maybe it should've and it would have helped me with my problem.

The joke was that I looked angry all the time.  I'd walk around the halls and my friends thought I was mad or sad or some negative emotion, because my relaxed, normal face apparently looked unhappy.

While I doubt I have a picture of me in high school, as I'm sure it was unattractive and I wouldn't keep it around, I imagine looking something like this.  Which actually just looks a little more annoyed than anything.  Apparently my mom only kept smiling pictures of us.

Chris on the other hand, walks around looking like something straight out of a cartoon, because his face was and is always smiling.  Which is why when I saw this shirt on pinterest I immediately thought of him.

I actually used to have to remind him in pictures to have a normal smile, because his was hugely wide open, extreme smile, and just looked silly.

(I realize he isn't actually trying to smile in this picture.  But I looked for one for about 30 minutes and gave up and really wanted to include a picture.  This was the best I could do.)

I even tried it.  Walking around with this big smile.  Well it looked fake and was awkward and didn't last long.

And I'm even outnumbered in my house because I have a dog that constantly smiles too:

Yet another thing I admire about my husband.  He really his happy about 98% of the time.

Happy Anniversary

On May 14, 2005 my dad walked my 20 year old self down the aisle to marry you.  

My first boyfriend and my best friend.    

Sometimes I think the last seven years have flown by and others I can't even remember life without being married to you.  

The other day I was looking through our wedding scrapbook and found our wedding vows written out.  While we've both made mistakes and have had to ask for forgiveness many times, I'm so thankful that we have held true to our promises to each other.   God has blessed our marriage, year after year, for the last seven years.  

I know without a doubt we've made each other better people.  

We balance each other out in so many ways, 

and have grown and changed so much in the last seven years.   

Our first year of marriage seems like so long ago.  Living in our 700 square foot duplex and both being full time college students.  While marriage took some adjusting to, our life together was pretty easy and wonderful.

This last year has been by far the most challenging year we have faced.  God has broken us and drawn us closer to Him and closer to each other.  Even though this year has been incredibly tough, I wouldn't trade it.  We've become a different, stronger and closer couple.  

I couldn't ask for a better man to go through life with and daily thank the Lord for giving you to me.  

Whatever is ahead for us I know we will spend it loving each other and growing together.  

I love you Christopher Jason Vale. 

Happy 7 year anniversary! 

Love, 

Mingle Monday

Things I love about our marriage

In honor of Valentine's day I figured I should talk a little bit about love, right? There is no question about how much I love our marriage and think that I've been incredibly blessed with an amazing husband and a solid relationship.    

Here are some things I LOVE about our marriage:

1.  We've known each other for 14 years.  Chris was my first boyfriend, the only boy I ever kissed, held hands with or loved.  We know each other so well.

Here's a picture of one of our first real dates.

2. We balance each other out.  Chris and I could not be more different.  He is relaxed, and I'm a worrier.  He likes to stay up late and sleep in, I like to go to bed early and wake up early.  He likes spending money, and I'd rather save it.  He loves change and I'd like things to stay the same.
The list could go on.  

Our big differences have caused some conflict in our marriage and have made us work hard to understand each others' point of views.  We have balanced each other out a lot and I know we're both better people because of it.

3.  Our communication.  I've learned in the last few years that a lot of couples we know, don't know how to communicate in their marriage.  I feel so lucky that this is something that, although it does take work, has been a natural part of our marriage.  We talk about everything, from small to big things.

4. We enjoy each other's company and have fun together. The first few years of marriage I remember saying things to other people about being sad when Chris was out of town or even gone for a few evenings in a row.  And many people would tell me to just wait until we weren't newlyweds and then we'll enjoy the time alone.  While we haven't married for as long as a lot of them, we're coming up on 7 years married and I still would always rather have Chris home and be in his company.

5. We love each other despite our flaws.  There is no doubt that there are things that bother me about Chris.  (I am one of the most easily annoyed people in the world and Chris does quite a lot of annoying little things like make gross noises when he eats.  If you ask him what annoys him about me he'd say that I have too many things that annoy me.)  And there are obviously more serious issues that we both fall short it too.  But despite those things I love him more than anything in the world and I know he loves me the same way.

I couldn't be happier with the man I married and can't wait for many, many more years together.
Happy Valentine's Day to my sweet husband.
I'm a lucky wife.

linking up with:

Blonde Episodes