Today marks the 10th anniversary of when Shannon and I were first married. It was a crazy time ten years ago, we had just found out that our original wedding plans were going to be interrupted by my deployment to Iraq. I was in the Marine Reserve then, an infantry unit, and while in Des Moines for my February drill I learned that we were deploying that summer. I quickly accepted the reality of the situation, but was overcome with fear about ruining our wedding plans that Shannon had been working so hard on. I remember wanting to be put on active duty immediately so I could simply call Shannon instead of having to face her in person.
The normally long drive home wasn't long enough, and the single flight of stairs to our apartment was too short; I entered the door to find her sitting on our futon couch, happy and unsuspecting. She may have started to tell me something, I can't recall, but with a giant lump in my throat and a sudden inability to speak, I hugged her tight and hoarsely whispered in her ear "We leave in June." It was the most difficult thing I'd ever done. Even when on that deployment, facing real potential for injury or death, I was never scared in the same way that I was the day I told her Shannon our wedding plans would be changed.
Fortunately, Shannon is resilient and stronger than people may suspect, and after we cried it out for a little while that day she was hard at work planning our now expedited wedding plans. Being only a few weeks away, Shannon told me she might as well have some fun with the situation and our wedding would be on St Patrick’s Day, March 17th. We agreed to have a small wedding since we had little time to prepare, but follow it up with a bigger vow renewal on our second anniversary. Everything went well on the day we wed, and to this day I have a vivid image of Shannon in her wedding dress while we stood in front of our closest family and friends.
We've been through a lot since that day, most of it I never could have predicted. Currently, we are always busy with the kids, the daycare, and my work, but despite all the distraction I still look at Shannon and can’t believe how lucky I am to have her with me. She has been amazingly strong during the difficulties we've encountered, and I’ve never thought there could be a better mother or friend than her. I am truly fortunate to have Shannon in my life, and her love is my most cherished thing.
Thank you for 10 years, Shannon, and I look forward to sharing our lives for all the rest of them!
Awe, what a tribute to your bride! This is terrific, Russell. I admit though, when I think of you too I immediately go back to those days of puppy love at the Millard Roadhouse :) Marriage, careers, kids, mortgages... when did we all go and grow up?!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the last decade and cheers to many more! ...you know, they say it takes ten years to become a professional at something. So... you're pretty much in the big leagues now :)
and by too I mean two. Yup~ that's where an English major will take ya ;)
DeleteAwww, thanks Shannon! You're too sweet. Yes, how much our lives have changed since those days at The Roadhouse! This definitely isn't the life that I had envisioned for myself back then, but I'm not sure that I'd have it any other way! :-)
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