Committed...

20 years ago today on February 7, 1990 I was proposed to and engaged to my Knight in Shining Armor.  With one ring and one "yes" I committed my life and eternity to this man.  (funny that the word "commit" also refers to what you do when you put someone in a mental institution, I don't think that is a coincidence).  I knew we were meant to be together.   Besides the fact that we had the same curly, mushroom shape hair-do and our "hips met", ( it was a fact known among me and my college roommates that couples of varying heights could never be married because their hips didn't meet), we were perfectly suited for each other.   But did I know what I was actually committing myself to?  At that moment I knew for certain of a few things I was committed to.

I was committed to a wedding.  I was committing to wear the most beautiful, expensive dress I had ever worn.  I was committing to wear that gorgeous marquis diamond on my hand to show off to everyone I knew.  I was committing to at least one big party for all our friends and family to come and congratulate us for being so wonderful.  I was committing to a honeymoon!! (tee hee) And at that point I actually knew I was committing myself to at least a few cute babies.

But I think, perhaps, that is all I knew for sure.  Oh the things I did not know.  Robert and I like to refer to ourselves at that time, as "young, dumb and in love."

So as for the things I did not know I was committing to?

I did not know I was committing to ...

...7 moves in 13 years.
...supporting my husband in over 20 jobs in 20 years
...over 10  more  years of education for Robert
...figuring out how to raise a growing family on a meager income
...the absolute joys of bringing six babies into  our home
...my body forever changing after six babies, never to return to its former glory.
...changing over 3,600 diapers
...being happy when my husband got home, even when I was not.
...the adventures of living far from home in amazing places
...the loneliness of living far from home in amazing places
...the love and friendship of five new "sisters"
...finding something to feed kids and husband everyday!!
... loads and loads and loads and loads of laundry.
...bringing reptiles in my home that eat dead mice and live crickets.
...wearing so many hats. That of wife, mommy, chauffer, nurse, tutor, girlfriend, sister, counselor, referee, jailer, cook, maid...

And that is just to name a few.

 I definitely did not know I was committing to the comfort, security, and pure bliss of sleeping with, dating, parenting, budgeting, traveling, crying, arguing, kissing and making-up with the same man for 20 years.

Now I know.  And I would commit to it all over again.

Here is to 20 more baby.  I love you.