sorry for the cheesefest.

I just have to say I love this man. He's only been home two weeks and I wonder how I survived the six weeks without him. It's been almost eight and half years married, and a little over nine together. Crazy. I cannot imagine life without him, even if we drive each other crazy and fight over stupid stuff and have to deal with the fact that the Army owns him. (ok, not technically. But sometimes it feels that way) He is my best friend and gave me three gorgeous boys. (among other things) I'm constantly wondering what in the world he saw in me to make him choose me over all the other girls in this world. But I'm glad he saw whatever it was.

I just had to get that mushiness out.

But really, the point of all this is that you need to go give your main man (or gal) a big squeeze today if you can. Do it for all those wives (or girlfriends or husbands or whatever) out there who want to so bad, but can't. I know I will be giving mine several.

(maybe more if he walks the dog...)

he's home!

And all is right with the world.

seven.

Today Rob and I have been married 7 years! How did this happen? I still feel like a 19 year old.

Then I think back to this day seven years ago and realize how much has changed. A lot like those shoes pictured above.

Those shoes are the ones I wore, brand new, the day I got married. It was not a decision most approved of; my seamstress even made my dress a little too long to hide them. But when your feet are the size of a child's it's not easy to find white "grown up" lady shoes to wear to your wedding. I decided instead Rob and I would both wear black Converse tennis shoes. So we did.

Call me crazy, but after we got married I didn't pack them away. Instead I've worn them for 7 years. So they're worn, and faded, and have paint on them. But they're as comfy as can be (they're so well molded to the shape of my feet) and I love them. And still wear them often. They are one pair of shoes I don't think I'll ever get rid of, no matter how ratty they are.

And so it is with our marriage. 7 years ago it was new and shiny and squeaky-clean. But now it has seven years of wear, some rough spots, lots of comfy improvements, and has increased in love and affection a hundred fold. And I don't think we'll ever get tired of it.

They say there's a "seven year itch" in marriage. Well, I don't feel itchy at all. Not. One. Bit.

Our marriage isn't perfect, but I don't care. We'll continue to move onward and upward and someday, hopefully, we'll get there.

Ti voglio bene, Rob.

sorry ladies...

He's TAKEN!

new love

Here she is. The OTHER woman in my husband's life. And why should I feel threatened? I mean, she's only gorgeous. and sleek. and powerful. and seductive. and Italian. And her name is Francesca, which is a pretty awful name if you ask me (that was sarcasm). So no, I am not jealous that she gets to see more of my husband than I do right now. Not at all. (that's what I keep telling myself)

the elusive mr. s

My husband is a grease monkey. Always has been, always will be. I have the proof too: We have quite the collection of vehicles and car parts in our yard and garage, as anyone who has even been to our house can attest to. And I am cool with that: who wouldn't like a husband that can fix your vehicles? But part of being mechanically-minded means you take a look at machines all the time. Like this time. His birthday last year. When we picked out our next vehicle. And it is beautiful. He would've preferred to buy it then and there, but I gently pointed out the lack of funding and he acquiesced, so we waited. And waited. I told him we could make it happen when he commissioned, that it would be his "LT mobile." And he said ok. Well, guess what's coming up in TWO WEEKS? His COMMISSIONING CEREMONY. So toady I called up the Ducati dealer to inquire into purchasing our bike, only to discover it is GONE. Some happy person out there is riding around on our motorcycle. Can you believe their audacity? Then the panic set in. And the guilt. Because you see, this is a DISCONTINUED model. They don't make them anymore. So I am asking, if you would please, to join me in a moment of mourning for our almost addition.

(Can you see the stars in his eyes? Oh, it breaks my heart)

But never fear! I found a black one in Atlanta that they are holding for us. It is not the same as our red one, but that may prove to be impossible to find. But I am doing my penance and going to the dealership tomorrow to talk about any possibility of finding a red one. Wish me luck! But either way, we'll at least have a Ducati Sport Classic Sport 1000 S. Aren't you impressed I could just write that out without having to copy and paste? That's how much I've talked about that bike today.

I hope he knows I love him.