This Year

On Sunday, Mark and I will celebrate our first wedding anniversary. For most couples, I would assume that this is an exciting milestone, but for us, I feel like it holds some extra special meaning. Mark and I have not had the easiest year. This fact actually has nothing to do with my husband, or our marriage. It has to do with the variety of 'obstacles' that have been thrown our way since our wedding day.

Our perfect day

Looking back on everything, I can honestly say that we were able to have three glorious days of wedded bliss before we had to start dealing with reality - harsh, hard, unfair reality. Our wedding was perfect - absolutely perfect. Everything I had ever dreamed of. The following day was also perfect - spending time with both our families (for what would turn out to be the very last time). We had one day to ourselves, and then, my Mom was admitted to the hospital. Without going into too many details, the next few weeks would be filled with ups and down, resulting in my Mom's passing, exactly six weeks (almost to the minute) after Mark and I had said our vows. 

The happy family (circa 1982)

The following days and weeks are a blur. Instead of living the life of a happy newlywed, I was living the life of a grieving daughter. I had quit my job three days before we lost Mom, in the hopes of helping her and my Dad deal with all that was going on. So in six short weeks I had changed my living situation, marital status, name, and career, only to be hit with the blow of losing my amazing Mom. To say I was overwhelmed would be an understatement.

I managed to make it through the next few weeks before Mark and I left on our preplanned honeymoon in Australia. It was a wonderful trip, but now I can see that it was much too soon and while there were moments of joy, it was not what a honeymoon should be. Mark was amazing through it all. I can't imagine being a new groom that suddenly has to deal with a wife who is not who you married. Only my Mark could handle it with such grace, understanding and compassion. I couldn't have got through it without him.

My rock and me, in front of some rocks (Kangaroo Island, Australia)

We were struck with another 'blow' just two days before Christmas. Mark was told he was being transferred from Calgary to Toronto - and fast! Mark and I moved across the country, away from all I have ever known, at the beginning of March. We've been in our lovely new house for a few months now, and I'm still taking it one day at a time. I take time every day to appreciate all the things in my life that I am so lucky to have. They say people never change, but if there is one thing I know for sure, I am not the same person I was last August. 

Exploring our new home province

I can honestly say, I don't know what lies ahead, but I look forward to facing the next adventure. Fingers crossed that our second year of marriage will be full of happiness. I know it will be filled with love.