9 and Counting

Yesterday was a birthday and today is an anniversary. Ours. Me and Otter. Sometimes I feel like I'm way too young to be celebrating a ninth wedding anniversary. But that's what happens when you get married at 21. I know. That's really young. It is what it is and I don't regret it one bit. 

Otterpop and I have had a rough couple of years. We've had to deal with the stress of multiple family deaths; the birth of a new baby that nearly resulted in my death; the stress of losing my job which was a blessing, but stressful none the less; and then learning to manage life on a single income. 

I would be lying if I said the stress hasn't impacted our relationship. Don't get me wrong. We are happy. It's just that marriage is hard enough when things are good. 

But the past nine years have taught me some great lessons. Mostly that anything worth while requires work. 

And so I impart to you some lessons learned by Tera:

~ When you are hurting your spouse is often hurting just as much. Sometimes more. 

~ Pouting in silence does more harm than good. Swallowing your pride to say "sorry" will make things a whole lot better than they were.

~ Simple listening without trying to fix the problem is more often than not the best advice you can give.

~ Empathy goes a very long way.

~ The addition of children doesn't have to suck the life out of your relationship. It just takes a lot more work.

And there you have it. Now all I have to do is follow my own advise and we'll have our very own happily ever after.