There are many anniversaries one may celebrate in their lifetime. They may celebrate their life achievements (graduation, meeting their spouse, meeting their best friend, the day they found out they would become a parent), but perhaps the most widely celebrated are wedding anniversaries. Yesterday, Shaun and I celebrated 4 years of marriage, but, it doesn’t seem like our wedding was that long ago!
Shaun and I met late September, 2014. We went for a walk on a beach close to both of our houses. I was hesitant as he said he was 28, and I was 21. The age gap was 7 years, but I eventually agreed – what could hurt in a walk along a beach? Our first date went well. He has a great sense of humor, and is quite sarcastic just like me. He texted me not long afterwards, to say he had a great time and asked if I would be willing to meet again, to which I agreed.
We would hang out a couple of times a week until he eventually asked me to be his girlfriend. Since then, we have been a great team, and supported each other in accomplishing our goals! In October of 2015, we moved in together. In August 2016, we bought a condo. In September of 2016, we got engaged. We got married in September of 2017 on the same beach we had our first date and got engaged on. In 2018, we both finished our schooling, sold our condo, and bought our current home – a home that we still can’t believe we own. In 2019, we found out we were expecting Jaiden, and in 2020, Jaiden was born.
To say we have accomplished a lot in our almost 7 years together is an understatement. But, one of the biggest reasons we have accomplished so much is because of our teamwork and communication. We talk about everything and anything. We never have to guess what the other is thinking, and we are undoubtedly, each others biggest supporters. When I first moved in with Shaun, I was working part time and in moving out of my parents house, it was my responsibility to pay my own tuition. Shaun didn’t want me to go into debt, or take out student loans, so he only asked me to pay $200/month towards rent, so I could afford my schooling. We also tackled Shaun going for a couple months at a time to school in a different city, which required us to pay our mortgage on our condo, as well as rent for him while he was away. But together, we worked hard and lay the foundation to live the lives we wanted, and have now.
Of course marriage isn’t always easy, but when you have a partner who shares the same mindset as you and you communicate well, then you have already won the lottery. Speaking of communication, it wasn’t until I was living with him, that I found out our age gap wasn’t 7 years… it was 9, but he didn’t think I would agree to a date if he had said he was 30 at the time. Regardless, this is something we laugh about now, because anyone who meets us is shocked that we are 9 years apart. It has been 4 years of marriage, almost 7 years together, but it feels like just yesterday we met. He still surprises me. Can read my emotions like a book, and knows exactly how to cheer me up when I am down. My biggest piece of advice: find someone who makes you laugh until you cry, listens to you whole heartedly, communicates well, and who you share common interests with; these are the biggest reasons why we are so happy and content with our life. Money doesn’t buy happiness, it’s moments, memories, and the people by your side that do.
