6 Years

Our Wedding - June 5, 2010

Six years ago today, I married my best friend. He's more of my best friend today than he was then. We haven't been without hardships, but EASILY the most important thing we ever learned is that whatever happens is happening to BOTH of us. We are Team Straily and we both bring something unique and important to our relationship. We challenge each other. (Well, to be fair, I challenge him and he sets a great example for me. I like to think I'm worth the trouble, but I didn't ask him, although I'm sure he'd say I am.)

On our 6th anniversary, here are ten questions we answered together.

1. What have you learned to appreciate about each other that you didn’t know when you first married?
Justin: I didn't know how good of a writer you are. I always pictured you as a painter.
Reghan: Your extreme discipline and ambition. You make me plan for things I wouldn't have dreamed of, and accomplish things I never would've tried.

My Senior Prom - Spring 2009

2. What dreams or expectations did you have about married life? Which have been fulfilled and which have not?
J: We had kids young.
R: I agree on that, we always wanted to have kids young.
J: We wanted to have a house by now. We haven't quite made it to the ownership bracket.
R. *laughs* So true.
J: We're not rich yet.
R: Not yet!

Our Honeymoon Cruise - September 2010

3. What have you given up for each other? How do you feel about it?
J: Even though you've never been career-driven, you gave up working outside the home... for these things.
Maya: *screams*
J: I don't know why.
R: You gave up a LOT of peace and quiet, and that doesn't even include kids.
J: Yeeeeeah.
R: ...How do you feel about that? *nervous laughter*
J: *laughs* It has been worth it so far.

Cruise - October 2013

4. At what times have you felt happiest together?
R: When we get to spend a lot of quality time with each other. We're happiest when we get one-on-one time together.
J: When we go on vacations or cheap dates like when we were dating. In those times, it's usually just us. So, basically, your answer.

After Ziplining in Roatan, Honduras - October 2013

5. How do you manage when desire levels differ?
J: We usually compromise.
R: I think we're pretty good at that, actually. When you want something or want to do something I don't want to do, I just remember all the things you do with and for me that you'd rather not do.
J: I do the same thing. Like going to Cracker Barrel for every meal.
R: What? I don't want Cracker Barrel for every meal!
J: And I don't want Mexican for every meal.
R: Well... Yeah, you kinda do.

Valentine's Day Date - February 2016

6. How much money do you have now? How much did you think you would have at this point?
J: None. More.
R: *hysterical laughter* Fake laugh. Hiding real pain.

5 Year Anniversary - June 2015

7. Are you in agreement about having children, raising them, educating them?
J: Yeah!
R: I should hope that we're in agreement, since we're having them.

Our Wedding Day - June 5, 2010

8. How have you learned to cope with the normal, day-to-day irritations of married life? How could you handle them even better?
J: More naps for the kids.
R: What does that even mean? She naps while you're at work!
J: *laughs*
R: So how have we learned to cope?
J: Chocolate and sweet tea.

April 9, 2016

9. Do you feel more emotionally connected than you did early in your relationship?
J: Yes.
R: Absolutely.

10. How would you define love now? How does it compare with what you thought love was when you married?
R: I would say it's a lot more complex now, but also a lot simpler. Do you know what I mean?
J: ...No.
R: There are so many different ways to show love, ways I never knew existed back then. Or how deep it could be. But that doesn't necessarily mean that love is rocket science, you know? It's easier to show love in general, at this point in life.

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And to think, we still have a whole year until the seven-year itch kicks in.