6 years. It sure is fancy how you love me.

6 years.  That is how long Dustin and I have been together as of today.  6 years.  Now, to some of you, 6 years is not a lot, but I am 24 years old.  That is a fourth of my life!  If you would have asked either of us when we started dating if we would be here right now, we would have laughed in your face.  He was the "bad boy" and I was the "walk the straight line" girl.  We were just in it to hang out and have some fun and then be on our way.  Two weeks into dating though...we knew what we had planned wasn't what was happening.  We could not spend enough time together.  I could tell him anything.  Still can.  My deepest fears, my greatest joys, my dumbest questions.  He could make me laugh so often.  We could have long conversations or not talk at all.  I was, and still am, completely comfortable with him.  6 years has led us through deep heartbreak and unexplainable joy.  It has led us on a path that has deepened our faith in Jesus Christ and each other.  We work together day in and day out.  We raise kids from broken homes together day in and day out.  We have had to learn to be parents in about a month.  We did not get the typical 9 months to prepare.  God just said, "Now." And we did not get a choice in the matter.  We screw up and forgive each other and celebrate together when we happen to do something right.  And you know what it has led to?  More appreciation of each other.  More high fives.  More hugs. More kisses.  And more thank yous.  To know where God brought us from to where we are now, is a miracle.  I know everyone says "I married my best friend."  And some people, well, you just really doubt it.  But I promise you, hands down, I married my best friend.  Never, ever would have thought that having a crush in 5th grade, then another one on the same boy in 10th grade would lead to here.  Forgot him when he moved off.  Dated other people.  Then...BAM he walks back in and captures my heart.  I know that was not his plan.  I am not offended by that.  We knew how different we were, but we did not know that God was going to transform those differences.  He would take some away and make some of them very complimentary of the other person.  We have fights, no doubt.   The fights are how I know what we have is real.  It lets me know what we feel goes deep.  I have NEVER had a REAL relationship that did not come with a fight.  Mom, Dad, Josh, Charleston, Chris.  Had fights with them all.  The relationship run deep.  I do not think everything is perfect, but the past 6 years show me how much God can do and they make me so hopeful for the future.  I would never dare guess where we will be in another 6 years.  God would laugh.  I am just taking the hand of my husband and going on whatever ride God wants to take us on.  I do know there will be lots of laughter and love wherever it leads.  These were the words to one of the songs in our wedding..I will finish this blog with them.

 By Dave Barnes "There's nothing fancy bout the way i love you,
there's nothing you could not find, in any other man. 
There's nothing fancy bout the way I love you, 
but I love you as hard as I can. 

There's no good reason for the way you love me, 
but you're my walking dream come true. 
There's no good reason for the way you love me,
But I thank God that you do.

I don't know the perfect conversation,
I don't know the way to turn a head,
I don't know the perfect way to prove my love,
But I know I'll love you till I'm dead.

There's nothing fancy bout the way I love you,
It's as simple as the stars in the sky, and the blue in the sea.
There's nothing fancy bout the way I love you,
But it sure is fancy how you love me.