We have been together since we were young, dumb, teenagers. After five years and a half years of being together and one FULL year of marriage sometimes I think about how we’ve made it this far – it’s INSANE to think that he’s stuck around with me this entire time….

I know the typical responses from every single forum or blog on the internet always say “Don’t go to bed angry” or the “Always say I love you when they leave”

Do you know how many times we went to bed angry? How many times we’ve hung up because it’s just easier to click the button than to keep having a “pointless” conversation.

We try not to make it a habit but guess what…all the “secrets”? We have broken them. M A N Y times.

The secret to a long lasting marriage or relationship is that there is no secret at all.

It’s a get up and try again over and over every single day.

It’s hanging on tight when you are in college and living on frozen dinners because it’s all you can afford.

It’s counting pennies when you are newlyweds so that you can build a life together for your future family.

It’s about knowing that nothing is going to turn out perfect, that your marriage won’t be a highlight reel because that’s not real life.

It’s being deep in the trenches of so many obstacles and every plot twist that life could throw you and getting to look over and know that you aren’t alone and that your best friend is walking it with you.

It’s knowing that you can never be prepared for the burdens you might have to help your partner carry but knowing that you are willing to carry it right alongside them.

Just try every single day, in the trenches and on top of the mountains don’t ever stop. Because stopping, that’s one thing that isn’t a secret, it will make you fail.

Dustin, I’ll never stop. Happy First Anniversary.💗