For all the right reasons, it seems like we've always been together. Still, it seems odd to think that twelve years ago we were getting ready to say our "I Do's" and commit our lives to one another. It's a thrill to think that we've enjoyed twelve years already, and an exciting mystery to anticipate what lies ahead for the next twelve years. And the twelve after that.
Kevin and I have always thoroughly enjoyed our anniversaries, and this year was no exception. Kevin made reservations at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse (yumyumyum!) and had a gorgeous bouquet of flowers delivered to the restaurant to be placed on our table prior to our arrival.
Happy anniversary, my love. I'd marry you again every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Just this much more.
So...
Is marriage really cheaper by the dozen? Who knows. I love that phrase, and loved even more, the original movie by the same title. The family in the movie had twelve children and when they would ask the dad why he had so many kids, his reply would always be "Well, they're cheaper by the dozen, you know!"
Let's give it some thought - is marriage really cheaper by the dozen years? Hmmm...
Year one you're busy setting up a household, which can be incredibly expensive. Figuring out where to live, buying a bit of furniture that represents your new married life, and figuring out how to set up paying your bills. By year two, you're still in the settling in phase. You've gotten into the swing of things, but now you've decided your living arrangements could definitely use some improvement, so you begin saving for a house. Cha-ching! Year three you've decided that going to the laundromat is ridiculously expensive and, if you bought a washer and dryer, you'd definitely save money. In the long run. But...not in the short run. Year four your beloved's car breaks down beyond repair; add a car payment to your monthly bills. Ugh.
Years five and six, if you have children, all bets are off. Your 'cheap' years are definitely over! If you decide not to have kids, you're still in the process of saving for that elusive home of your own. It would have been easier, but there was a job change this year and you need to build yourselves back up. Year seven is looking pretty good! ...until you're asked to be in three weddings, your cousin in another state suddenly passes away and you find out your tax returns were wrong and you owe the IRS some serious caish. Ouch!
Year eight is a relatively good year. No major life or lifestyle changes and you're chugging right along. Yeah, baby! Finally an easy, relatively cheap year! Then...year nine comes along and you're ready to buy that house. Oh.My.Goodness. The piles of paperwork to complete the loan isn't nearly as worrisome as the number of zeros you see on those loan docs. And if you happen to be buying said abode in California? Plan on retiring at the ripe old age of 70. Maybe even 75 if you can eek it out.
Year ten comes along and you're thinking "Wow, ten years! I hope it's a cheap year - we are still spending like crazy on the house!" In fact, you're not just thinking it, you're actually doing it. Which is a good thing, because by the time year eleven rolls around, miraculously, there are no huge expenses looming. The year comes and goes and suddenly, it's year 12. Danged if that year isn't looking pretty darn good, too! Things are lookin' up!
Well, there you have it - I guess it's really true. Now that we've hit the dozen mark, while not 'cheap', it's certainly manageable. Just a word of caution, though: Look out for year thirteen; that fridge is starting to make some interesting noises....
1 comment:
Congratulations to you and Kevin on celebrating 12 years of wedded bliss.
God bless.
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