On the Horizon: Reflecting on Four Years of Marriage

Four years ago I got into my little white Prius (RIP PENNY) with all my hair and makeup complete, and drove to our beach house rental in Ocean City to meet my bridesmaids and step into my dress. I put Ingrid Michaelson's Home on my CD player, and sang along, willing myself not to cry all the mascara off my face.I was calm and excited at the same time, fully filled with emotion. I was ready to do the damn thing. The weather couldn't have been more perfect, and it was truly the greatest day I've had on earth. I will never forget the way we prayed & danced & laughed & also took that questionable last shot of tequila with my friends before leaving the reception.But the wedding day is only the very beginning of a long and often unpredictable journey. I've learned so much in these four short years, namely that marriage is not all ice cream cones with rainbow sprinkles on top, but that doesn't make it any less sweet.We are not rich, we haven't been able to conceive, there are no fancy European vacations in our future, and we are nowhere near buying a home. We don't have sparkly jobs or live in a bustling city, but I've grown in ways I never imagined I would. I've learned to let go of expectations about what my life "should" look like at a certain age. Our dreams are on the horizon, I know it, but right now this season of life looks more like sitting on the quiet beach in the half-light, waiting for the sun to come up. And that's ok, because we are sitting together.I mean it when I say that the love that we share is more than I could've ever dreamed for myself. It is more than a trip, and more than a house, and more than a cool job, it is the dream, and I would rather live 100,000 extraordinary days in the ordinary if it means I get to spend them with Steve.Happy Anniversary, Stephen, you're my whole heart.xo,Katie