Year Two

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

As of yesterday, Hunter and I have been married for two years!
To be completely honest though... it feels like so much longer!
I mean, I've totally loved the guy since I was 14.

Everyone told us that the first year would be the hardest.
I would have to disagree in our case.
We already knew each other pretty well so the first year was spent making memories as newlyweds and loving every single moment together.
We had been dreaming about being married for years before it actually happened so when we finally tied the knot, every waking minute seemed perfect.
Year two... was a bit harder.



Now I don't mean harder as in "I wish I never got married." More like, "this little person will not stop crying and I am on my very last nerve" kind of harder.
Adding a baby to our family during our second year of marriage tested and tried us in ways we really didn't expect.
We still felt like newlyweds but had to devote almost all of our attention to the little baby that "needed us more."


Year two was spent figuring out how to balance being parents and nurturing our marriage.
It was spent comforting and calming each other down in the moments we really had no idea what else to do to help Oaklyn.
It was spent working together to figure out parenthood.
It was spent crying over watching her grown up.
It was spent celebrating in her victories,
It was spent mostly, revolving around, our daughter.


This post is not to say that I regret having Oaklyn so early on in our marriage.
It's also not to say that year two wasn't a good one, but more to say that during year two we grew together in a way we didn't know possible.
Oaklyn demanded a lot from us and at the end of the exhausting days, we had each other to turn to.
During the days that my PPD kicked into full gear and I couldn't stop crying over every little thing, Hunter showed me that he will always be there.
When our little girl in the room across the hall would wake up in the middle of the night and I couldn't bare one more sleepless night, Hunter managed to gather the strength to take the shift. so I didn't have to.
When nothing around the house seemed to get done and I still hadn't gotten dressed at 4 pm, Hunter still let me know I was the greatest mother and wife.


What I am trying to say is that after reflecting on year two, it was just as amazing, if not more, than year one.
It was different. It was physically demanding and mentally exhausting.
But, it taught us how to love when we didn't think we had anything left to give.


So Hunter, Thank you for the two best years of my existence.
I'm so excited to grow up and grow old with you.
I couldn't have dreamed up a better fairy tale.
I can't believe that I get to live this life with you by my side.
I remember that summer of '08 so clearly. 
You dove into the water and somehow I just knew.
I knew you were the one I wanted, and I'm so glad you saw it too.
You are my best dream come true. Sometimes I can't believe it really is a reality.
The past two years of marriage have brought ups and downs, highs and lows, but more than anything, they have brought me more happiness than I knew one person could have.
Thank you for being there for me when I need you and for loving me through it all.
Thank you for being my Prince Charming and for continuing to "date" me.
And thank you, so much, for making me a mother and being the amazing hands-on and involved father you are.
I watched you win football games, I watched you graduate high school, I watched you head off to college, I watched you leave for and return from serving your LDS mission, I watched you get down on one knee, I watched you say "yes" across the alter, I watched you when you saw that positive pregnancy test, and I watched you become a father. 
I can't wait to see the other milestones we will hit together in life.
This love is ours Hunter, and it is a love that only comes once in a lifetime.
I loved you then, love you still, always have and always will.



Last anniversary Oaklyn was a week old.
We both agree it may have been the lamest anniversary ever haha.
We also think it's pretty funny that Oaklyn will be around for every one of our anniversaries! Ha!
This year we had a wonderful anniversary together.
 I really don't know how we'll top it!




I woke up to a sweet text from Hunter followed by a sweet note on our dry erase board.
When I got in the car, there was even a love note on the front seat!
Later, I took my time getting ready for our night out.
Hunter took me to Bombay House in Provo and it was SO good!
We then went to Cold Stone and took our ice cream to go.
We went to this park that has special meaning to us and walked around hand in hand laughing and reminiscing.
We got home and spent some time with Oaks before putting her to bed.
Hunter then handed me the first clue to my scavenger hunt!
I couldn't believe he planned a little scavenger hunt for me!
The clues we adorable and so poetic!
Each place had a gift waiting for me and I teared up because I was so happy.
I decorated a wall in our house with some garlands and balloons and wrote him a special card.
I also made chocolate covered strawberries and we sipped martinellis.
It really was the perfect day!

All my love,
Aleigh Joy





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