When I Married You, I Didn’t Expect This

Looking into the wild unknown, a beautiful diamond on my finger and a love that shared the same dreams. I couldn’t have imagined the hard times that lie ahead, or the insurmountably beautiful times we would share.

I knew we would hit bumps, but I didn’t expect to hit so many.

I knew we loved each other, but I didn’t expect to love you this much.

I knew this life would be a roller coaster, but I didn’t expect there to be so many highs and so many lows.

I knew we would be a team, but I didn’t expect us to be so strong.

You see, you saved me when you chose me. You filled me with love and confidence in a way that gave me strength to just be me. I didn’t expect that.

You gave me children who save me every day. They fill me with love and confidence in a way that motivates me to be the best me I can be. I didn’t expect that.

You made bottles, and changed diapers. You made breakfast, lunch and dinner for your sleep-deprived wife. You made so many sacrifices. I didn’t expect that.

Now, you make school lunches, and you make our kids’ laugh. You make me feel like I can do anything, and that you’ll love me even more for just being happy. I didn’t expect that.

When I married you, I didn’t expect this.

I didn’t expect this life to feel so rich, full of passion, and love.

I didn’t expect this happiness; this fullness.

I didn’t expect to feel like you and I share a secret. A secret so big that no one would understand even if we tried to tell them. It’s the secret to our happiness, and love. It’s us.

In our nine years of marriage, you’ve taken things from me. You’ve taken my insecurities away by loving me fully, and you’ve taken my fear away by loving me unconditionally.

In our nine years of marriage, you’ve given things to me. You’ve given me children, opportunities, hope, motivation, passion, and love.

I don’t know what I expected when I walked into this beautiful life with you. I knew I would be happy. I knew I would love you. I knew I would feel safe. I knew I would feel like I was home.

But I didn’t expect this.