Nine years ago today, Coty got down on one knee and proposed to me. We were celebrating my Grandparents 50th anniversary in San Diego and Coty flew out to vacation with us and meet my dad’s side of the family. That evening we got dressed up and we went to La Jolla for dinner just the two of us. I remember walking down the cove to see the sea lions, crabs and waves roll in on the rocks. I had mentioned to Coty that I would love to be proposed to on a beach so he had this idea it had to be a beach. If I had known this would be a pattern of him listening to me and not his intuition, I would have kept my opinions to myself because that moment in La Jolla would have been perfect! This is now how our marriage is, he doesn’t stray from a list he buys whatever is on my pinterest board. I almost regret making it because I love surprises and I love thoughtful gifts but my husband likes to know he got something I want!

When I start realizing its been 9 years that we got engaged I start to think about how old I’m getting.  I never thought 31 was old but when you’re creeping up on almost 10 years of marriage, that sounds like a lot to me! I have asked Coty that if he would have gotten a note saying these are things you’re going to go through with this woman, are you sure you want to marry her… would you of still asked me to marry you! Since its a “what if” kind of question he doesn’t answer because those aren’t real things. No one prepares you for life’s big moments with your spouse. When you’re walking on that sandy beach and your boyfriend is being sweet, you don’t think to yourself, what will he be like when we have a miscarriage? What will happen to us when we have kids? What is going to change when we start working together? You just don’t ask those questions. All I could think about is ” is he going to ask me to marry him right now?” Well, Coty got down on one knee three times while joking around that there was sand in his shoes so he had me fooled there for a little bit!

After we got engaged I immediately started planning. If my parents would have let me, I would have bought a dress right there in California! I cannot imagine my life with anyone else. I love that Coty will let me come home from a lunch with a huge dream in my head and totally entertain. I love that when the laundry needs to be done, he brings it down and starts it. I love that if I’m exhausted, he’ll let me sleep in. I love what an amazing Father he’s become and when growing up with no earthly Father himself… its pretty incredible. I look back and realize how young we were and how much growing up we had to do before we got to where we are today. I’m grateful for every moment that God has carried us through. I firmly believe that we are still married today by the Grace of God because working together day in and day out isn’t always fabulous. So thankfully God has protected our marriage and we’re better than ever. The reality of living this life is that nothing is perfect but its when you grasp tightly to the word of God that this imperfect life won’t swallow you whole.

So would I say yes again? Yes. One Hundred times yes.

Photo Credit: Rachel Jacobus