At this time, 5 years ago, Lisa and I had a lot of stuff going on. We were putting the final touches on our wedding that would take place on July 28th in New Hampshire at my brother's house. This included a final list of who would be there, what everyone was bringing, renting tables and chairs, making food, drinks, the entertainment (Justin Jaymes), centerpieces, etc. On top of that, we had enlisted the help of a realtor to find a home for us. We had a lengthy list of criteria. On top of that, we had a few other family related issues going on.
Right around July 8th, our realtor found us "the perfect home." We had no idea she'd be able to find a home for us so quickly. Our guess-ta-mation was well after our wedding. But, nope. She did it. After doing a walk through, we knew the answer was yes. A few days later we the signed papers and handed over the security deposit. On July 12th, we moved in.
Not only was I working close to 100 hours a week, I was also unpacking and preparing for our wedding. When Lisa got home from work, she unpacked boxes and tackled what she could on the To-Do lists.
It was stressful. Overwhelming. Busy. Financially straining. I got very little sleep. When we left for New Hampshire, 2 days before our wedding, I was a nervous wreck.
Wine and Cuban Highballs assisted with my frayed nerves.
Our wedding was spectacular. The following day, we busted ass cleaning up, taking the canopies down, folding the chairs, loading everything into vehicles, and packing everything up. By mid afternoon, we were on the highway heading back home.
That was almost 5 years ago...
Since then, we've settled into our new home. Started Bodacious Biscuit Love. Our family has grown. Lisa has moved up in her company. I'm a Work at Home Dog Mom. I manage and author 2 blogs. My focus has shifted. We've evolved. A few ties with family and friends have severed. We've eliminated a lot of drama from our life. A few of our neighbors have become family. The list goes on.
Part of that list, sadly, is since 2015, 9 people who we loved and adored, a mix of friends and family, have passed away.
That's a lot in 2 years.
It's been difficult, but at that same time, it has opened our eyes. Changed us. We've never taken life for granted, however, over the past 2 years, we've put forth a lot of effort and made changes so we're able to fully appreciate, embrace, and savor each day.
We eat dinner at the table. We make sure to have family snuggle time on the sofa before Lisa and the kids go to bed. We celebrate the small stuff. We're more in tuned to each other. We spend more time with our friends who have become family. We've shifted our efforts more towards our tribe and much less to those who view us as doormats or only come around when they need or want something. We both agree the road travels both ways. Any relationship requires effort on both parts, not just ours. We have more conversations with each other.
Again, the list goes on.
And...
*drum roll*
It's the reason why we've decided to celebrate our 5 Year Wedding Anniversary with a huge back yard party, this year, on July 28th.
Most people celebrate the 10 year mark, but we're older and wiser and after losing so many people in a 2 year span, we decided to have a party this year. To celebrate our 5 year.
Life is short.
Celebrate often.
Plans are great, but spontaneity is better.
Don't wait for the conventional 10, 20, 25 year, etc., time frames to celebrate the milestones.
Celebrate now.
Surround yourself with the people in your life who love and support you. The ones who have your backs and consider you family.
The ones you consider family too.
Celebrate and share food and drink. Have lots of conversations. Laugh. Listen to a local, and exceptionally talented, artist. Sit around the fire and joke about life as you look at it sideways. Make memories.
You might not have tomorrow or next week or next month or next year.
We've learned the hard way.
All you have is now.
Don't waste it.
Celebrate.
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