Don't really know who still cares to read my blog.. But I love being able look back to a specific date and see what was going on. I love having an online journal :)
Yesterday as we celebrated Tripper's 23rd birthday we took a quick trip to the store. We were talking about how this was both of our second birthday's with each other and how today would be our 9 month mark of being married. We both thought about how much we have grown in the past 9 months.
We've all heard it a million and one times... "The first year is the worst and hardest year!" Well if this is going to be the worst, I'm absolutely thrilled with the worst year of marriage. I think the hardest part of marriage is getting out of your comfort zone. For me, it was really hard to get into a habit of telling Tripper when something was wrong, or when something was going on that I didn't like. He can attest to this, and I agree, that I am not 100% there yet, but there has been a lot of improvement with our communication. He only has to ask "What's Wrong?" 3 times now before I tell him ;)
A lot of you probably saw the post I shared a few days ago on my Facebook page about being married young and I just wanted to touch on a few points from that. While being married at a young age does come with hard times, so does every other stage of life, being single included. And while being married has so many benefits, so does being single in your college years, I'm sure. Though I have never lived on my own, with other girl roommates, dated my freshman year of college, graduated college with a degree for my "dream career", I am sure those are all great things and all things that tons of girls want(ed) to experience. Me included, but that was not what was right for me. Going off to college and living with 5 other girls actually was one thing I never wanted to do. For the same reasons I hung out with mostly boys my sophomore and junior years of high school; drama. I had enough of that not going away to Rexburg. I'm so glad I met Tripper when I did and that we decided to stay here. I really needed my family last summer and leaving them with 500+ miles between us would have been really hard. Although I do not live with them now, I am glad I was able to stay here in Vancouver to do some important things with them for my brother.
I had to step out of my comfort zone to move 5 miles away from my parents, provide for myself and my husband. I step out of my comfort zone every single time I go to the store by myself. Ever since I can remember, my mom, dad, sister, or friend has been with me when I went out. Now that I am married, Tripper can't always go everywhere with me. I'm a very independent person when it comes to household duties, but I really don't like being alone for long periods of time. I imagine lots of newlywed's are the same. I love every minute I get to spend with my husband.
Expanding your comfort zone is how most of us grow. I know it's how I've been able to make my marriage stronger and honestly myself stronger. Hiding in my comfort zone made me so vulnerable. I am so much less vulnerable than I was even a couple of months ago and I love that. I feel that I am a happier person because of it and the mood Tripper and I have around each other is always more positive. (Tripper is so happy all the time. Being married to him is so much fun!)
Getting to my point; I have my own problems, just like you do. I have down days just like everyone else. I get stressed about things and yes I cry every now and then. I wanted to just state that I love being married and I fully hope everyone gets to enjoy the happiness of that in their lifetime. It doesn't really matter how old you are, how "mature" you are. I have heard so many times when others find out their friends are engaged that they are "not ready" for marriage. How could you be? I probably wasn't ready in the opinion of others and I doubt I am yet. But the last 9 months sure have taught me a lot and I wouldn't trade them for anything. Not the bad looks I get, the hesitation I hear in peoples voices, or all the friends I have been dropped by because I am miraculously different now that I'm married.
I do think being married puts you into a different social group, to a certain extent, so that is one reason I am more than happy and willing to move to Utah this spring.
Today I am counting my blessings and am very grateful Tripper and I stepped out of our comfort zones to be married. Even if that meant not everyone was on our side. At the end of the day I'm just glad I have someone to relate to when it comes these struggles, and that's all that matters to me.
Here's to the next 9 months and an eternity of growth & happiness.
