Happy Anniversary Baby!

Today, July 9th, marks my 6th wedding anniversary to my best friend. My husband and I met while attending college at Liberty University in 2001. School started in August, and we were officially a couple on September 21st. Only took me one month to snatch my prey. ;) He was in my brother's dorm which is how we were first introduced. At first I thought we were just going to be great friends because he reminded me of some of my guy friends back home. Although, the more we hung out, the cuter he became. I tried telling myself that it was nothing more than a little crush and that I'd get over it. I didn't. I soon realized that we had so much in common and these feelings of friendship were now turning into...could it be...love?

Our relationship started off slow as we hung out with groups of friends in an attempt to get to know each other. I would call home to tell my parents about him and their response, having never met him, was that he was too young and that it wouldn't work. He's 2 1/2 years younger than I am which can usually cause problems in a relationship. Especially when it's the guy that's younger. We all know guys mature much slower than girls. With my parents disapproval, I decided it was time to break up with him. I called him up and told him that I needed to meet up for a chat. When talking to him I was looking at his adorable face and trying awfully hard to keep focused. 'Do what you came to do', I would tell myself. I started by telling him that the age difference made things difficult and that I think we should see other people. I'm not sure how it happened, but we ended up having our first kiss that night. Needless to say, I didn't do what I had come to do.

My next thought was that I now needed to have the 'chat' with the parents. I needed to convince them that despite the age difference, he was perfect for me and that he made me very happy. Fall break was coming up so I thought that maybe if I brought him home to meet them, they would see what I see in him. The trip was set. We arrived in my home town and everyone hit it off right from the get-go.

We ended up dating all 4 years of college. He proposed to me the day before school started our senior year and we were married the month after we graduated.

I absolutely love being married. Maybe it's because I get to spend every day with my best friend. The man who knows me inside and out, can finish my sentences and read my mind. Although I love being married, it's not always easy. Here are some tips that we find useful in making a marriage last:

1. Communicate. Communicate. Communicate. This is the most important tip of them all. If something is bothering you...you need to discuss it with your mate. If you don't, it will build up and you might explode one day and turn a little argument into something monumental.

2. Compliment each other. You two fell in love for a reason. Remember those little things that attracted you to each other and talk about them. Telling someone that you love them, or that they look nice that day will resonate with them and keep them thinking about you throughout their day.

3. Designate one night a week as 'date night'...and stick to it. It's important for you to have your alone time, especially when kids come into the picture. We all get busy in our daily lives and sometimes forget about the person that means the most to us. Try not to let this happen.

By doing these 3 simple tips I feel as though any marriage can survive through it's many ups and downs. My parents have been very happily married for 33 years and they credit these tips to their happy marriage.

I love you baby and I look forward to making many more memories with you!