What a Difference Six Years Makes

Six years ago yesterday, Michael and I got engaged.  The "day" before that, my boss won a tough primary campaign that I worked pretty darn hard on for peanuts - literally - without a runoff.  That really threw Michael's plans off for asking me.

I lived in a 400 square foot apartment in the back yard of a nice lady and her little boy.  There was no dishwasher (except for me or Michael when he was over).   My dishes were displayed on a book case.  My sofa was a loveseat that pulled out into a twin bed.  My TV sat on top of the chest of drawers in the ten that held my clothes.  There was one extra chair in the living room.  I had a small chest of drawers squeezed into my room along with my bed and small desk.  The bathroom had a stall shower and you could barely fit in the room anyway.  Fortunately, my friend and fellow campaigner, Laura, lived down the street.  So we walked after work sometimes and had bible study together.  Another fortunate thing was that my parents helped support me in this "grad school" of life.  One way was food!  Mom kept my freezer pretty stocked with good, homemade food so I could afford to live (sort of) and not eat junk food since I rarely had time to prepare a real meal.

I'd put a ton of miles on my year old PT Cruiser from traveling across Georgia to political rallies and barbecues - and the very rare getaway to see a friend out of state.

I worked every night until at least 7 p.m., maybe 8 p.m. or later, had some really early mornings to travel.   I worked every weekend from March on.  I was sick literally every day for three months leading up to the election.

Now?

Michael and I will celebrate five years of wedded bliss tomorrow!  We have a beautiful home with our own yard (no one lives in it - of course, it doesn't have a carriage house, either).  We have a dishwasher.  There is more than one bedroom and a huge fridge.  I can open the doors on it without hitting the counter across from it!  It has an ice maker.  I have my same car - with a car seat in it - and many thousands of more miles.  We have a BABY!  She is INCREDIBLE.  I "have time" to make some of her food and try to make a good, homemade dinner a few times a week (thank goodness Michael likes leftovers!) I still work for the same person, but have worked for him - actually for you, the constituent - in several different capacities.

On Tuesday, we had another Primary election, but this time we had no opponent!  I only volunteer for the campaign.  I work some in the evenings or weekends, but it's because I try to spend most of the day paying close attention to my six month old.  I work part-time.  I felt no stress this Tuesday.  Well, a little, but a different kind: I had to teach Libby about another part of our political system, so I took her to vote for the very first time.  She was very much admired by the poll workers and she was so good!

We are very blessed.

In six years, we planned a wedding (with lots of help), attended and helped throw wedding showers and engagement parties for ourselves and friends.  All of my bridesmaids got married.  We got a puppy!  We honeymooned in Block Island, RI!  We went to Wyoming!  We went to D.C.! We went to England!  We went to Boston!  We lived day by day and week by week.  We made new friends.  We saw old friends.  We visited Charleston, SC, and Savannah, GA, several times.  We visited Asheville, Boone and Nags Head, NC, and Amelia Island, FL, we went to our 10 year high school reunions (yikes)!  We bought a condo together.  We sold the condo.  We bought a house!  We're still furnishing the house.  We've had to do a lot to "keep up" the house.  We helped throw baby showers for our friends!  We (I) attended baby showers for ourselves (us)!  We had the best baby in the whole world!  We're trying to raise the best baby in the whole world and not mess her up!  We created our own traditions and routines - daily and dance; simple and special.  We made memories.  ...and we did it all with our best friend.  What a blessing.

Happy Anniversary, Michael.  Here's to 50 more.  (At least.)