Saturday was our 23rd wedding anniversary!
I admit, I can never remember things like my age of how many years we've been married. I used to always just add a year to JP's age, but now I first have to do the math to remember JP's age so it's all going downhill fast. Luckily, Phil loves me in spite of the way my brain works, and so here we are!
 |
| Our first dance - "It's Your Love" by Tim McGraw & Faith Hill |
I was 23 when we got married, so half of my life has now officially been married to my bestie, and I am so grateful. When Phil and I met, studying abroad in Austria in January 2000, I was in a serious relationship. Phil and I became instant friends, and it didn't take me long to confess to my roommate that I "wanted to marry somebody like Phil." So then what was I doing dating somebody so unlike Phil? I broke up with the boyfriend, told Phil I was single, and he asked me on a date very soon after.
What attracted me to Phil was his GOODNESS. He was so kind and attentive, a friend to everyone, loved to laugh but not be the center of attention, made me feel safe, was a prayerful and chaste young man, led by quiet example, and was willing to put up with me! I knew he would be a wonderful husband and father and he has proven that time and time again.
What I didn't know was how hard of a worker and partner he would be.
Phil has held down multiple jobs, gotten two Masters degrees, and even opened a business to support his family as best he can. I'll give you last Thursday as an example. Phil went to work (teaching high school theology) all day, came home and made dinner, went for a run, walked the dog with me and the littles, helped Xander edit his paper for an hour, went to the ice cream shop when it closed at 9:30 to clean the soft serve machines and leave them to dry overnight, came home and ordered ice cream and got bank deposits ready, went to bed at 12:30 am only to wake up at 5:30 am to go back to the shop to put the soft serve machines back together and fill them, then off to his teaching job for the day. He then worked at the shop right after school until well into the evening.
But that's just his work-work.
He also does so much home-work.
Phil is the parent who meal plans and shops and mostly cooks dinner all school year because I get home from work much later than he does. Phil was the parent who changed all the diapers if he was home. Phil would get up at the baby's crying and bring them to me for a feeding, then burp and rock them back to sleep. "Dad" is the name that the kids would call for over the baby monitors because he was the one who would get up to see what they needed. He picks the kids up from school each day, cleans the showers and does the dusting, mows the lawn and takes out the trash, does the dishes most nights, plays with the kids, and well, the list goes on and on.
Phil scheduled workers at the shop so that we could spend the day together on our anniversary. He asked me what I would like to do...go to the Cape for the day? Shop and eat and walk around a new town?
Instead of planning a romantic day away, I said "Honestly, if I can have you to myself for the whole day, I would like to workout together and then really clean and organize the house together."
So that's what we did. We went to our favorite circuit class at the gym, worked on the house for a couple hours, ran some errands, Declan had a soccer game, then went to Mass and out to dinner and for ice cream, and were asleep by 9:30. It was very productive and just a little romantic, and after 23 years, that was exactly perfect.
All this to say, I picked the best one for me and our kiddos and we all love you so much! No regerts :) I don't think I could do this life without you by my side, and I pray I never have to find out. Happy 23rd Anniversary and many, many more.
 |
| The night before our wedding |
 |
| The night before our 23rd anniversary |
Congratulations! May you have many more happy years together! Your anniversary day together sounds just wonderful - with your busy lives, having each other's undivided attention is hard to come by.
ReplyDeleteYes undivided attention is a nice treat as are acts of service :)
DeleteHappy anniversary to my beautiful wife of 23 years! This post is amazing but it only tells half of the story.
ReplyDeleteThe life we’ve built together works because of your constant love, strength, and dedication to our family that you show us each and every day. You have been the best partner I could ever ask for.
You have also worked multiple jobs at a time throughout our marriage. In fact, from before we met, you were a such go getter and always had multiple jobs. Throughout our marriage, you have babysat, tutored in math, done bookkeeping and taxes on the side, worked for a Catholic school so our kids could get help with the tuition, worked as a public accountant, worked as a school accountant, and even taught college courses online. Our ice cream shop would never have been as successful without your knowledge of business and all the work you do in the background from accounting to social media.
I have never met someone who works as hard as you and I truly appreciate all of the sacrifices you have made for me and our kids. More important than the many jobs you have done is all that you do for our family that goes unseen. I have come to see how every day, you are thinking about each of our kids and what they need. You plan and execute our vacations, birthdays, holidays, sports schedules, school events, and our incredibly busy daily calendar. You think of their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. You have been the heart of our home.
Thank you for being my best friend and partner in life. 23 years is not enough!
Phil tells the rest of the story! Phil also wins husband of the year for such a loving tribute to his wife. Colleen, you picked a winner!
DeleteLove you!
DeleteOkay the two of you are just the best. Happy Anniversary!!
ReplyDeleteWe are not the best but certainly the best for each other :)
DeleteHappy anniversary to you! How lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteHappy anniversary! Phil is a worker bee and I love the story of how you were friends first. If I was given a day to spend with my husband- I would make the same request. Sounds great!
ReplyDeleteAnd the clean and organized house is a gift that keeps on giving, as it brings so much peace and happiness.
DeleteThat made me tear up! You two really are the best match.
ReplyDeleteOh my heart!!! Your post and then Phil's comment brought tears to my eyes! Such a beautiful tribute to your marriage. And I think your anniversary day was just perfect. Sometimes the most relaxing thing is to have uninterrupted time to tackle those bugaboo projects that never seem to get done otherwise! What stands out to me is that you both seem to truly "see" each other and that makes a huge difference in carrying the emotional and physical load of marriage and parenthood. God bless you both!
ReplyDeleteYou two are aging like fine wine---slow and beautiful. Happy anniversary; Phil is such an amazing partner for you, but I'd bet my last dollar that he'd say the same thing about you.
ReplyDelete