Three years!

We can hardly believe it! Yes, today is our 3 year wedding anniversary and WOW, so much has happened in our lives in those three years. This morning when we woke up, after a not so restful night's sleep due to a bad dream of Emma's, my snoring (a lovely pregnancy symptom I get, sorry Travis!), and tossing and turning all night with sore hips, Travis and I looked at each other with sleepy eyes and tossled hair and gave a boisterous (yea right!) "Happy Anniversaray!" As I sit here with a active, ornery, full of life toddler and a miraculous little creation growing, and kicking inside me, I can hardly believe all of this has happened in just three years!
I look at these wedding photos, our rested, blissful faces and trim bodies and think, if this young couple only knew the richness of growth and blessing, trial and triumph ahead of them. The romance has ebbed and flowed, but the love has only grown and grown. We learn that love is more than candle lit dinners and nights of passion, it's about teamwork and friendship in this game of life. It's about putting the other's needs above your own, even when selfishness is tugging at you full force. It's Travis looking at me intently, and with all sincerity, saying, "you are so beautiful" after a long stressful day when I'm feeling anything but. It's me cooking dinner for him because I know how much he loves a good meal, even when I'm so tired I fall asleep face down in the frying pan.
It's honoring one another and appologizing quickly in humility when we need to. It's seeing the best in each other even when the best isn't all we see. And parenthood puts a whole new ball of wax into the picture. It's knowing when the other is at the end of their rope and needs a break. It's giving each other encouragement that we're doing a good job with these little ones even when all we can focus on is our shortcomings. Travis, I love you so much that my heart just aches to think about it. We've come a long way from kissing behind the school haven't we! You are my hero in more ways than you'll ever know. I'm so proud of the man you are and so blessed to call you my husband and friend. Lord, thank you for my marriage, for the beautiful union only you can make it, and for molding us more into the people you want us to be through it. Amen
OUR VOWS
"Travis- Sarah, I vow to cherish, respect, and love you as my best friend and life companion. I need you and I will honor you. In commitment to Christ, I promise to lead you with integrity, grace, and gentle love, and to take the responsibility of leadership in our marriage. I promise to place you above all things as a precious jewel, always seeking your highest good above my own. I promise to encourage and help you to become all that God has called you to be, for all the days of my life. From this day forth, with love defined by Christ, I commit myself to you, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as we both shall live.

Sarah- I Sarah, as a testimony of Christ’s love, vow to love, honor and respect you, and to submit to you in all things, as an act of obedience to and worship of the Lord, all the days of my life. As your best friend, sister in Christ, and companion for life, I promise to always encourage you to become all that God has called you to be. I vow to live my life in such a way that I am a blessing to you. From this day forward, fueled by God’s love for me, I commit myself to you, for better or for worse, for richer or for poor, in sickness and in health, for as long as we both shall live."