Matt and I celebrated our 10th anniversary last weekend at Lake Michigan, and this is how I feel about it.
A decade. It does not feel like a decade has passed since our wedding day. I feel perpetually 24.
People always assume Matt and I are younger than we are. I think it’s because we’re both kind of short and squatty. Hobbit-like, one might say. And because we don’t have kids yet. That’s where people make a lot of assumptions, I’ve learned. People think we’re newly married, or still in our twenties, or we’re waiting for Matt to finish residency, or we don’t want kids.
But alas, none of those are true. We’re not fresh out of college. We’re embracing our mid-thirties, our fourth state, my thirteenth year of teaching, and our decade of marriage.
There’s a time and place to share the whole miscarriage/infertility story with new friends, but it’s not right off the bat. It has to “feel” right, and it feels like bad manners to open with that. I would much rather spend those first friend dates laughing and asking questions and getting to know them.
I think it’s great fun getting to know new friends – that unfolding process. I love hearing their stories and sharing mine. I love the wise, beautiful, warm, and interesting people I meet whenever we move someplace new. Our friendships will deepen here in time, and life will be shared, and we will know and be known. In the meantime, people may make inaccurate assumptions about us. And we will probably make inaccurate assumptions about them. I’m learning to just be okay with it and am reminding myself to ask good questions and seek to know people well.
Still, there’s something about being already known, truly known, by someone in a new place.
Jesus knows me perfectly. And that thought makes me feel content.
And Matt. He knows me so so well. I love that wherever we go, I’m known. By him.
Happy 10th Anniversary, my love!

the good picture that almost was

Our airbnb condo! We found a last minute deal. Sure, we learned after the fact that it was the state insane asylum 200 years ago (yikes!), but no matter. It was cozy and artsy and perfect!

Grand Traverse Pie Company – sooo good

Driving past serene vineyards and orchards in northern Michigan

Stopped at a little winery

Lake Michigan did not disappoint. Even on a cloudy day.

And we found such pretty rocks!
So grateful to explore our new state with my best guy! Here’s to more decades and more adventures!
You are an awesome writer, Liane! Happy anniversary and many more to y’all! (The pictures are gorgeous, too.)
Happy 10th, Li!! Always enjoy your words. Beautiful pics!!!
Beautiful pictures! Congratulations on 10 wonderful years!