Show and tell Monday

After I blogged this morning I forgot about Show and Tell Monday hosted by the fabulous From arms to Mama! Today it's all about your wedding so head on over to her blog and link up

1. Are married? If so when did you get married and tell us about your big day. If not? How would you describe your dream wedding.

  

I've been married for a little over 4 years. M and I were married 4/11/08 in Key West, Florida and I couldn't have asked for a better day. I always dreamed about a big wedding but after we had vacationed in Key West I knew a small destination wedding was perfect for us. We had about 20 of our family members and closest friends who came to celebrate the day with us and the photographer, flowers and reception site were everything we dreamed of. I relive that day over and over in my head and looking at pictures or hearing our song playing on the radio always takes me back to that amazing day and how I felt at that time. I'm also glad to say that I love my husband more today than I did that day which I never thought was possible. I'm a lucky girl

2. Show us your wedding photos 

3. How about the engagement? Tell us your story. If not engaged, what's your dream proposal?

As many of you know the hubs and I met, dated, got engaged and were married all within a 5 month period. Hey when you know you know right? Anyway since the hubs was in the army we talked alot about long distance dating. Of course along with those talks came the subject of me moving to where he is stationed. Now I was 23 years old, had a good job and was working on my master's degree. I was not going to pack up and mnove miles away from my family and friends without some sort of commitment. I've seen it happen before. Girl meets guy, girl moves to be with guy and within a few months guy dumps girl leaving her alone and broke. That wasn't going to be me. So without putting any pressure on M I said that I need some sort of commitment in order for me to move. I also said if that wasn't what he was looking for then we should part ways. He also said that he wouldn't expect me to move either unless we were considering taking the next step. Problem solved. Well one cold day in January, I was sitting in my apartment in Wisconsin talking to M as he drove to Charlotte, Nc to go shopping. He said his phone was about to die and he'd call me when he got home. I didn't think anything of it. A few hours later there was a knock on my door and who should it be? M with three long stemmed roses and a ring. I was so shocked and excited I could barely say yes. Obviously I did however and four years later we are still going strong with baby number 2 on the way!

4. Show us your wedding rings or an engagement photo?

5. Tell us why you think marriage doesn't work out for so many? What can we do to make things last 

 Hmm, I think that today people get married without really thinking about what marriage really means. I feel there are people out there that just want their fairy tale ending yet aren't willing to work hard to making things work. Marriage isn't all fun and games. Its hard work. You and your spouse are always changing and growing as individuals and so is your marriage.When you first start out, its just you and your spouse. You feel as though you can conquer the world and nothing can stop you. Fast forward a few years, throw in a few kids, stressful jobs, financial issues and the picture has changed. It is what you do with it now that will matter in the end. I always look at things like this. It is what you make of it. You can choose to let things get you down or you can chose to work it out. Some people don't feel like that and they leave. I think that is why today marriages don't last

In four and a half years the hubs and I have had our fair share of issues like everyone else. But I can honestly say that it has been the hard times that has made our relationship better. We wouldn't be where we are today without them and while at the time things seemed daunting I now look back at them and smile because if we can handle that we can handle anything. 

At the end of the day I think you need respect and communication to make your marriage work. Your spouse isn't a mind reader and neither are you. Keep open the lines of communication and always talk to your spouse. Make time for them and always let them know you appreciate them and all that they do. And yes that may be hard at times but put your relationship with your spouse first. At the end of the day not only will that benefit your marriage it will teach your kids what a healthy relationship and marriage looks like. 

I do not know why my blog changed fonts halfway through but I don't have time to fix it. G and I are off to a play date before the hurricane hits!

Thanks Becky for hosting