The Paper Anniversary
Monique | Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 3:00AM Christian,
Traditionally, this, our first wedding anniversary {I know, right!} is the “Paper Anniversary”. This would have been great if we’d gotten married in the 10th grade, when I collected paper. You see this paper collecting nerd come out sometimes, the crazy schoolgirl squee when you ask me to make you a list and I can’t skip fast enough to the place I’ve hidden my cute Babu notepad, or whenever a colorful notebook catches my eye. I try not to bombard you like I bombarded my mother, who was ultimately the reason my paper collection was reduced to shreds.
I digress.
As a couple, you and I have never had a special day of our own, always the nontraditional, entitled bastards we are, we simply stole an entire season. And people thought we were soooo romantical, when the reality was we had no idea what day we started dating, but we knew that it was cold and that generally meant “winter”. Since then, we’ve seen our season come and go so many times, and occasionally, instead of embracing us in our closeness it passed between us and our distances. Despite it all, I have always loved our season. The cold hits my evil black heart and ignites its little cockles. {Seriously, I hear you, and no, that’s NOT what she said.}
I revel in the growth of us.
So many years ago, marriage was “a stupid piece of paper”, and now that stupid piece of paper is what begins our photo album, our most precious memories. As we walk hand in hand, I sometimes notice the way the sunlight plays upon our wedding bands. And, the most incredible thing? We both remembered our anniversary date.
We’ve faced a fair share of tumultuous events this year, we’ve faced criticism, and the loss of family and friends because we decided to grow up, and grow old together despite the hell we’ve put one another through. Maybe even because of the hell. Not because we felt we owed anything to the other, but because through all of it, we still have conversations without speaking, we still feel safe in each other’s presence, I still look into your eyes and feel the same spark of searing fire I did when I saw you again, that night in December.
Our growth caused us to shed some old skin, and our marriage fits us beautifully, if not always perfectly. Every day, we get better at this. We’ve truly learned the values of communication and trust. We’ve learned the art of compromise. I’ve seen your devotion to me, and to us – and I hope you see it in me too.
Last year, on this day, we were married, with little fanfare, a bus ride home and take out for dinner. And I expect every anniversary to be just as glorious. I can assure you, I never want to wake up to paper, pearls, gold, or diamond gifts, I care not for those traditions – I simply want to wake up beside you, I want you to dance with me in the kitchen the silly way we do, I want it to be you who stands beside me in all that I do, I want us to keep discovering each other, and falling in love with each other, even when we’re up against the world. I would marry you again, and again, even if take out wasn’t involved.
Thank you for the love you give to me, for the pride you have in us, for the trust you have in me, for your encouragement and belief in my talents, and for being the husband I never knew I needed.
You are my heart, and I love you, Pumpernickel. Here’s to many more stupid anniversaries on our very own special day.
Reader Comments (2)
What gift is better? A piece of paper or loving someone so much that you don't need gifts to prove it? Love this...
Its officially your anniversary!
Congratulations you two!
Beautiful post, Month!