Ten is a Silver Lined Number

Today is an especially Silver Lined day because it is our 10th Wedding Anniversary.

Ten years ago today, we were married in front of our closest friends and family in our apartment in Chicago.

Holy Moly. I can’t believe that I just wrote that. I’ve been trying to get my head around this number for some time because it’s just so hard to believe. Why? Well, because time has flown. And the best part is that I’m as happy today as I was the day that we were married.

We’ve been through so much together. Four kids. Two dogs. Five moves. Employment. Retirement. Birth. Death. Adventure. Oh, and pesky FBC.

Despite his recent title coronation as Husband of the Year, the reality is that he has always been the HOTY. There are many days that I can’t believe how truly fortunate I am.  In all ways.

In fact the very first Silver Lining after my diagnosis was recognizing the fact that I am married to someone whom I knew would be an impenetrable pillar. No matter what.

Did I ever mention that he went to every single doctor’s appointment with me? Not just chemo. EVERY single F-bomb doctor’s appointment (Silver Lining). Good grief, I barely made it to all of the appointments!

The quality of our marriage does not come without work.  A whole lotta work.  Everyday. In fact, I’d say that the biggest test came after I returned home from San Francisco. We had to go back to relationship fundamentals, which for us begins with honesty and communication.

We have always been able to say the hard stuff.  To have really difficult conversations that include saying things that the other person may not want to hear.  The key is that we know how to have these conversations respectfully. In fact, we have a standing non-interruption policy.

At the end of the day, we are each other’s #1 Cheerleader and only want the very best for each other.

The other fundamental ingredient to the success of our marriage is that we laugh. Hard and often. The more absurd the situation, the more we seem to laugh.

Today, I’m feeling acutely grateful for the HOTY and for our marriage.  Each is an extraordinary gift (Silver Lining).

A wedding anniversary is the celebration of love, trust, partnership, tolerance and tenacity.  The order varies for any given year.

~Paul Sweeney