One important event that I have yet to record is that Joe and I celebrated our 10th anniversary at the end of the year. The day itself was pretty uneventful. Joe and I have a private joke where we round-up or exaggerate how long we've been married so it kind of felt like--"Ah, finally it's actually true! 10 years!" Joe got to go on another fun golfing trip to Pebble Beach with my dad and brothers. He always talks about how beautiful it is and since I'd only ever driven through we decided to stay there. It had been 5 years since our last night away from the kids and it was definitely time. We splurged on a really nice hotel for two nights and then spent the last night at an Econo-lodge. The contrast was pretty funny. It was a wonderful trip and we were SO grateful to Marsha for watching the kids for us. She is a saint! She even took them to church by herself. No small feat, believe me, especially with a pre-nursery toddler.
It was wonderful to sleep in, eat amazing food, and wander along the coast. Joe knows how to make me happy :). It's funny because I've always thought of myself as the ocean-lover in the relationship but I think Joe definitely rivals me in his love for the sea.
He especially loves looking at tide pools.
He found a hermit crab:
Here we are at the golf course at sunset:
It really was so beautiful.
We saw some sea otters in this cove:
We had a sunny day, too:
That's Crazy Joe in the ocean when it was freezing out!
I sure love that guy. I'm pretty proud of reaching 10 years together. And of the fact that our relationship is better than ever. We've been through a lot together.
Just married...
I have to laugh saying that, though. I was just reading through my journal recently (I only have one journal that I started while we were engaged and I still haven't finished it--I'm not the best journal-writer...). Anyway, Joe pointed out a funny entry only like 6 weeks after we were married when I said basically the same thing--"we've been through a lot together." So, when I say that, I recognize that there is a whole heck of a lot more to come, I'm sure. Who knows what the future holds for us? Still, this time right now for us is pretty good. I do want to remember that.
I'm so grateful to have such an amazing guy by my side. He is not perfect but he is good. He is genuinely kind and considerate of my needs. He is a wonderful listener and he nevers fails to make me laugh. On our trip, we walked around the golf course listening to this bagpiper that plays every day at sunset. Suddenly, Joe started belting out "Danny Boy" in his Irish accent. Such a Joe thing to do and I loved it. It embarrasses our kids to no end but I think someday they'll admit they secretly love it, too. :) He's my best friend and I love living life with him. Here's to 6 or 7 more decades together!
