I am the luckiest!

Tim and I started dating in 2003, our sophomore year of college. We both were big fans of Ben Folds/Ben Folds Five and one song we always loved was "The Luckiest". Fast forward eight years and I don't have as much time to explore new music artists but I have to say that I still feel like the luckiest, probably more today than eight years ago. The past few months and years have been very busy and stressful times. I couldn't have asked for a better partner throughout it all than my husband. In October we will celebrate five years of marriage.

One of the first things I knew about Tim when I was dating him was that he would always be up for any adventure or anything I wanted to try and that he would be an incredible father someday. Since 2003 we have traveled around Europe together, taken several backpacking trips around the U.S., trekked out to California for a summer to work together in Sequoia National Park, moved to Memphis and bought our first house, furthered our education, traveled, danced, camped and loved every experience that has come our way. It hasn't always been easy or pleasant, but I can look back at all of our adventures and experiences and know that we wouldn't be the strong couple we are today without the obstacles we have faced. The latest adventure we have faced together is becoming parents. It all started with our beautiful daughter Sofia. Tim and I would always say during our first year with Sofia that having a baby didn't slow us down all that much, we traveled across the country with her several times and even took her camping in the Smoky Mountains when she was only four months old. In December 2010 we found out we were expecting again and we were thrilled. I was a little nervous but also excited when we found out we were expecting twins, Tim was my rock and continually assured me that we would be fine. Tim supported me in every way possible during my pregnancy.

While we were in the hospital with the boys Tim was incredible. I told him for weeks up until the delivery that no matter what, I wanted him to stay with the boys. I could handle whatever happened to me. Everett was very healthy and was able to stay with me but Sullivan went straight to the NICU. Someday I will share with the boys just how incredible their father was during this time. We had to be separated during the 48 hours that Sully was in the NICU. I stayed in recovery with Everett and Tim checked on us frequently but was never away from Sully for more than an hour. I'm so glad this wasn't our first pregnancy because although I missed having Tim around for every little moment, I felt confident that I would be alright on my own with Everett and I agreed with Tim that Sullivan shouldn't be alone. The hospital was awesome to us, I think they broke a few rules by allowing Tim, Everett and I to all visit Sullivan together several times a day. We really felt that the boys should be together as much as possible.  Tim never runs from a dirty diaper or any task that comes with children.

Our latest obstacle has been living apart while we wait to close on our house. No matter how tired Tim is he makes sure to drive 3 hours each way to see his family at least every other day in the midst of his first job and trying to buy a home. I haven't been able to help Tim out as much as I normally do since I'm usually tied up with the kids. I moved to Waukesha this week to save him some driving but Tim was making the long and exhausting trek for the past three weeks. I don't mean to brag about my husband, I just hope that someday my children will read these blog entries and will get an idea of how much their father does for our family.

And now I really feel like I'm back in middle school because I'm posting the lyrics to the song. They are very fitting lyrics for us though...

I don't get many things right the first time
In fact, I am told that a lot
Now I know all the wrong turns, the stumbles and falls
Brought me here

And where was I before the day
That I first saw your lovely face?
Now I see it everyday
And I know

That I am
I am
I am
The luckiest

What if I'd been born fifty years before you
In a house on a street where you lived?
Maybe I'd be outside as you passed on your bike
Would I know?

And in a white sea of eyes
I see one pair that I recognize
And I know

That I am
I am
I am
The luckiest

I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you

Next door there's an old man who lived to his nineties
And one day passed away in his sleep
And his wife; she stayed for a couple of days
And passed away

I'm sorry, I know that's a strange way to tell you that I know we belong
That I know

That I am
I am
I am
The luckiest