Eleven

So, Justin and I have been married for 11 years today. It's crazy how the time flies. I've been thinking about all we've done and been through together and it seems like we crammed a lot into these 11 years. We've moved four times, we've each gotten degrees (I got my M.Ed. and Justin got a B.S. in Biology and an M.D.), four years of medical school, three years of residency, 1.5 cross country moves, we've purchased three houses, sold two, owned four cars, had three pets (our Disco boy and two guinea pigs that - I'll just admit it - were a mistake), and had four of the best kids ever. Seems like a lot right?

But there are a lot of things we've done that I can't quantify. Things like nights spent up with a baby/sick child, evenings hanging out watching TV (when we could very easily be learning a foreign language instead), hours spent listening to music, time we spent up talking when our intention was to go to sleep, countless private jokes, time spent quizzing each other on radio songs, hours of laughter, hours of frustration, hours of tears (good and bad - and mostly mine), hours of worry (okay, that's probably mostly mine too), and so many other experiences that I can't begin to count.

Marriage isn't always easy. Anyone who claims to have a "perfect" marriage is just someone who hasn't let their spouse know all sides of them (and vice versa). I love that we have an imperfect marriage. Sometimes we fight, we make each other crazy, and we get frustrated at each other. However, I always know that at the end of the day, he's going to be by my side. No matter what. We're in this together. Thankfully, our good times heavily outnumber our bad ones. We laugh with each other all the time, we're silly, we work together, and we try every day to be better as a couple and as a family. I know that he loves me and he knows that I love him.

We're a team and there's no one I'd rather be on a team with than Justin. For all our flaws I am his biggest cheerleader and he's mine. We believe in each other, support each other, and love each other.

Happy 11 years Justin. There's no one I'd rather have at my side and no one I'd rather spend eternity with (unless you suddenly loose your sense of humor, then we'll talk). I love you!

**This is our engagement picture. Babes! Babes, I tell you!**