AmandaCarver Designs

Are we the only ones who annually find ourselves utterly disappointed with our anniversary celebration? Like, what is the deal with that? We have an ongoing joke that our major fight each year lands on our anniversary night. This year was no exception. The added pressure of the “this must be an amazing, sexy, perfect evening” cannot be helpful. We also now, however, have the anticipation of a disappointing evening. Hurt feelings, ruined plans, missed reservations, or a crazy hormonal wife (for at least a few of the eight years) have all been the culprits.

This year it started with me. I made a joke (well, really I was trying to make a point) and it didn’t come off as funny.  It was a slippery slope that led us both acting friendly only when the waiter came by. How embarrassing. And then it passed. But, we were still mad…mad at each other, mad at the theme of these dreaded anniversaries and mad at the $15 plate of pasta neither of us was tasting.

The one thing we did right..We talked. We talked through the argument, talked about our disappointments and our expectations and we talked our way to a peaceful place.  It did take the entire (potentially totally awesome) dinner, but when we left the restaurant we left it behind.

In marriage, the hard work of putting the other person first  is always in front of us. A constant challenge we will sometimes excel in and other times fail miserably at.

Nic and I have had the most beautiful past 8 years. Our relationship is far more than I would have known to hope for…And I eagerly pray we will be celebrating (fighting) at 50 more anniversary dinners. We would be so blessed.