Today Eric and I are celebrating our sixth wedding anniversary. We don't have much planned in the way of celebration this year; our weekend is largely spoken for with final prep for Eric before school officially starts tomorrow. But that's okay, because that's just what our life is right now. My mom came up for the weekend to help with Ellie, so last night Eric and I were able to take a break from our work to have a little time out of the house as a couple, which was wonderful. Tonight, we'll have dinner as a family and maybe watch our wedding video, but then it's off to bed for everybody's favorite new teacher!
Eric and I don't usually do much in the way of exchanging gifts, either, but I did get him a card this year that talks about how much I love him as both a husband and a father, and that is really where my heart is right now. We're in the middle of this huge transition and I keep thinking about how hard Eric has worked to find the balance between taking care of his own needs while still putting his family first.
To be honest, it took some convincing to get Eric to follow his heart and leave the practice of law. I know it was hard for him to turn his back on a career that took such good care of us financially. He worried quite a bit about how he would provide for his family in other careers, especially with the mountain of student loan debt a law career brings with it. I always appreciated his concern for these things, but at the same time, I knew he wasn't happy. And if he wasn't happy, how could the rest of us be happy? We're all in this thing together, and there are so many things a man can provide to his wife and children that are far more important than a big law-firm paycheck: primarily, his time. And that is what we all really wanted. Our time together as a family is precious and that's what we wanted to prioritize in life.
So, we decided to look at other options. I asked Eric to think about what he would like to do, and I told him that when he had an idea, we would work together to figure out how to make it happen. But not only did Eric come up with an idea, he also did all the figuring. When Eric decided to pursue Teach for America he worked tirelessly to figure out what to do about our loans, our insurance, our apartment, cars, etc. He made tons of phone calls, filed piles of paperwork, and did more research than I can even comprehend. He was pursuing his own interests, yes, but not without first making sure to cross every "t" and dot every "i" to ensure his family was taken care of.
When it came time to get things started this summer, Eric jumped into Institute and teaching whole-heartedly. He gave it his all and worked so hard. And when he finally had a moment of free time, much of it was spent visiting apartment after apartment to find the perfect home for us. Ultimately, I think he found us a great place and all his hard work really paid off.
Once things got underway, we were thrilled that Eric was asked to coach quarterbacks for the football team this year. But he still hesitated, because he didn't want that extra responsibility at work to take away from his time at home and his perceived responsibilities here. I assured him that Ellie and I would be fine, and that he should go for it. And so far, so good - he's enjoying coaching and our home is still running smoothly.
All of this - how Eric has conducted himself throughout this entire process - just speaks volumes to me about his character and the type of husband and father he is. He never, ever stops thinking about his family and what is best for all of us. He wants to be with us as much as he possibly can. He wants Ellie to have every opportunity in the world available to her. He wants us all to have a home and a family life we cherish.
And all of that is on top of the way he treats both Ellie and me in everyday life: his thoughtful actions, loving hugs and kisses, playtime with Ellie, helping around the house (often after a long day at work, without being asked, and without a word of complaint), deep conversations, constantly apparent love, concern, appreciation and gratitude for his family. Eric shows his devotion to us in both the big things and the little things, every single day.
Six years in to our marriage, I continue to thank God daily for giving me such a man to be my husband, a far greater man than I probably deserve. Marrying Eric was the best decision I have ever made, and the one I am most proud of. He is a better husband than I could have ever hoped for and a better father than I could have imagined. He is my most favorite.
Thank you, Eric, for another year of wedded bliss. Thank you for always putting us first, for your love and affection, and for making Ellie and me feel like the most special women in the world. We are so incredibly lucky to have you. God really must've spent a little more time on you.
Happy anniversary, my dear. Always and forever.
Eric and I don't usually do much in the way of exchanging gifts, either, but I did get him a card this year that talks about how much I love him as both a husband and a father, and that is really where my heart is right now. We're in the middle of this huge transition and I keep thinking about how hard Eric has worked to find the balance between taking care of his own needs while still putting his family first.
To be honest, it took some convincing to get Eric to follow his heart and leave the practice of law. I know it was hard for him to turn his back on a career that took such good care of us financially. He worried quite a bit about how he would provide for his family in other careers, especially with the mountain of student loan debt a law career brings with it. I always appreciated his concern for these things, but at the same time, I knew he wasn't happy. And if he wasn't happy, how could the rest of us be happy? We're all in this thing together, and there are so many things a man can provide to his wife and children that are far more important than a big law-firm paycheck: primarily, his time. And that is what we all really wanted. Our time together as a family is precious and that's what we wanted to prioritize in life.
So, we decided to look at other options. I asked Eric to think about what he would like to do, and I told him that when he had an idea, we would work together to figure out how to make it happen. But not only did Eric come up with an idea, he also did all the figuring. When Eric decided to pursue Teach for America he worked tirelessly to figure out what to do about our loans, our insurance, our apartment, cars, etc. He made tons of phone calls, filed piles of paperwork, and did more research than I can even comprehend. He was pursuing his own interests, yes, but not without first making sure to cross every "t" and dot every "i" to ensure his family was taken care of.
When it came time to get things started this summer, Eric jumped into Institute and teaching whole-heartedly. He gave it his all and worked so hard. And when he finally had a moment of free time, much of it was spent visiting apartment after apartment to find the perfect home for us. Ultimately, I think he found us a great place and all his hard work really paid off.
Once things got underway, we were thrilled that Eric was asked to coach quarterbacks for the football team this year. But he still hesitated, because he didn't want that extra responsibility at work to take away from his time at home and his perceived responsibilities here. I assured him that Ellie and I would be fine, and that he should go for it. And so far, so good - he's enjoying coaching and our home is still running smoothly.
All of this - how Eric has conducted himself throughout this entire process - just speaks volumes to me about his character and the type of husband and father he is. He never, ever stops thinking about his family and what is best for all of us. He wants to be with us as much as he possibly can. He wants Ellie to have every opportunity in the world available to her. He wants us all to have a home and a family life we cherish.
And all of that is on top of the way he treats both Ellie and me in everyday life: his thoughtful actions, loving hugs and kisses, playtime with Ellie, helping around the house (often after a long day at work, without being asked, and without a word of complaint), deep conversations, constantly apparent love, concern, appreciation and gratitude for his family. Eric shows his devotion to us in both the big things and the little things, every single day.
Six years in to our marriage, I continue to thank God daily for giving me such a man to be my husband, a far greater man than I probably deserve. Marrying Eric was the best decision I have ever made, and the one I am most proud of. He is a better husband than I could have ever hoped for and a better father than I could have imagined. He is my most favorite.
Thank you, Eric, for another year of wedded bliss. Thank you for always putting us first, for your love and affection, and for making Ellie and me feel like the most special women in the world. We are so incredibly lucky to have you. God really must've spent a little more time on you.
Happy anniversary, my dear. Always and forever.
The day I married the love of my life: August 18, 2007
3 comments:
I'm so happy to read things are starting to fall in to place for everyone! Good Luck to Eric, tomorrow and Happy Anniversary. :)
Happy 6 years to you two :-) So excited for you and the new wonderful adventure your family is on!!!!
What a beautiful couple and family you are. Meghan, you and Eric are made for each other, and deserve each other. Both of you bring so much to the relationship. I wish you many, many more years of wedded bliss! Love you all,
Mom
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