Happy Anniversary

Today is the ninth anniversary of the marriage of the Queen and I. It's been a great 9 years, and probably the most eventful nine years of my life. Parts of it seem mundane, but there were so many life changing events in that time that I'm no where near the same person now as I was going into it in 99. And really, that's a good thing. I like who I am now more than I was then.

I've gone over marriage before, but I figure since it is my anniversary, I can say a thing or two. First, I've thoroughly enjoyed being with the Queen. Given the choice to do it again, I would. Now, can I say that we've been happy with each other 100% of the time? No. Anyone who says they've always been happy with their partner is living in denial because guess what? We're two different people. Yes, we do our best to live our lives with one mind, but outside of that, we have differences. We like different music; we watch different movies; we have different tastes in food; we have varying styles of discipline; we were brought up differently.

Some people would use that laundry list as a reason to break up with someone, but those differences give us both a variety in life that we wouldn't have otherwise. Have I watched her movies before? Of course. Has she watched mine? Some of them (she won't watch horror). We've had occasion to listen to each other's music, and I've gained an appreciation for the country genre that I would not have had otherwise. I've also learned more about chick flicks than I would have known on my own.

Now, I admit to being a stickler on the food thing, though I encourage the princesses to eat everything. You see, I have found that my narrow palette is more of a curse than anything else. It restricts me from trying a lot of different foods, but I can't get my mind past some things. It's all mental, and I know it, but there you go. Does it bug the Queen? Sure. Do we deal? Of course.

The phrase, "choose your battles" applies so completely to a marriage situation that it's insane. Some people fight over every little thing in the world, and they often won't budge out of selfishness for their own way. We, on the other hand, more selective choose when to stand our ground. If it is one of those things I mentioned as our differences, it's not worth fighting over. Have I tried to get the Queen to enjoy my progressive metal? Yup. Does she like it? Nope. Do I force her to listen to it all the time? No. I respect that she prefers not to listen to it, so if I've had it on in the car, I'll often switch it to something else.

I would say the most life-changing events have been the children and not just the births either. Everything they go through -- every milestone -- is an event that will change me in some way. I look at the world just a little differently as they grow older. I actually rejected songs from a playlist that I would never have given a second thought to even a couple years ago because the song contained references to drinking. Not direct content of the singer drinking, but just a reference to it going on. Wild.

One year for my birthday, we were short on funds, so I said what I wanted was for Rock Girl to have what she wanted for her birthday. Nothing made me happier than watching her open her pink guitar. Before they were born, I would never have consented to such a thing, but something about their happiness makes me happy too.

I'm out of time here because the Queen awaits my presence, but don't let anyone tell you that marriage sucks or that it doesn't work. It works as well as you want it to, and I woldn't have my life any other way. Sharing your life with another brings a joy that cannot be matched.

And for the Queen: I love you and I look forward to many, many more years with you. Happy anniversary.