Four Years and Seven Seconds Ago

I guess we will start with 7 seconds ago. That was when I decided that I needed to go for a long run. But that was really a decision based on preparation for dinner tonight. It’s a special dinner, celebrating the commitment Dave and I made 4 years ago when we said I do.

I want to start by saying that we have a one year old. You might know of her…

I’ve had a few people ask, in hushed tones, “how long did you try?” “TRY?!” I repeat loudly…

Here’s the thing: we tried for about a week. Before that we were just married. Sure Dave is 8 years older and we wanted to start a family, but having a child doesn’t make you a family… long walks with your new puppy, a splashy party the represents you as a couple, a few camping adventures in Maine… that’s what made us a family. We moved in and out of apartments, we rehabbed a foreclosure (more on that later this month), we cash-for-clunked a 1987 Chevy Astro, he had a small business, I attempted a second degree in nursing, we got a puppy and we traveled to Hawaii for a wedding. We spent New Years Eve 2009 making pumpkin pie- never knowing when the ball dropped. We got up late, got in early, explored Providence. I experienced what it was like to be a groupie, and Dave got to experience the cult following that was me. We lived, loved and grew as a couple- as a family- before Addie.

Addie teaches us things we never could have taught each other, and for that, I know that we are just where we are supposed to be… and four years later, struggles and all, there is no one else I’d rather love with, cry with, laugh with or fight with. (Lucky Dave?)

Ever wonder what we did for the three years that we were just Chelley & Dave, those few years before we were Chelley, Dave & Addie? We were being married. Loving each other and planning our lives as husband and wife. We were growing and cultivating our own life together- perhaps as a greater plan to be able to handle the pressures of having a special needs child… but, more so, so that we would have those memories to carry us through those days. Happy Anniversary, Dave!  <3

Here’s a bit of We, before we were Three… Like the professional pics? Check out Allebach Photography for everything from newborn (Rachel!) to wedding (Mike!), and Lynette from Exalt Photography (who just left me for NC!)