5 years and counting...

   Wednesday August 8th marked 5 years of marriage for us.  Derrick and I had only dated for a mere 3 weeks when we decided to get married.  It was shock to everyone, including us. Two months later we knelt together at the temple and made sacred covenants with God and each other.  That day I knew I loved Derrick, but I never imagined how little I knew of love.
    I'm sure on some level, I thought I was getting the movie love.  You know the stuff romantic comedies are made of like flowers and dancing in the rain.  Well it wasn't long before reality set in.  You never see what happens after they ride off into the sunset.  Dirty laundry and petty bickering doesn't make interesting movies.
   What I got from Derrick was real, and raw!  It challenged me to be different, to change my priorities and forget my pride.  Over the years, it has evolved and still continues to challenge and change me. This love inspires me to be better and work harder.  It compliments my goals, and in many ways makes my life easier.  There are still days that are hard.  But even on those days, this love is worth the work.
   Not everything has changed,  Derrick still completes me.. Yes I said it!  As cheesy as that is, it's true. He still makes me laugh.  He does still make those movie like romantic gestures on occasion and I still swoon for them. We still bicker.. But I love that we can be honest with each other.
   I can say without hesitation that the past 5 years have been the best of my life.
          Happy Anniversary Derrick.