Six

This Sunday, Ryan and I will celebrate our sixth wedding anniversary. I'm celebrating it on the blog today, because tomorrow you'll finally discover the fascinating things I learned in the month of November, and then of course we'll have the Saturday Six and the Shafferland Shuffle. Of all the times to have a busy blog, right? :)

So let's celebrate early, shall we!?

It's been fun to filter through my memories on Facebook this week...to see what this week looked like for me, leading up to the big day. Six years ago today I was putting all the final touches on my packing, because it was six years ago tomorrow what we packed up the car and headed to Florida for our beautiful beach wedding. There are no beaches in my foreseeable future this year. :(

But despite the lack of beaches, today I want to honor some of my favorite moments with Ryan from this sixth year together.

Our first TSO concert together...in which Ryan handled the confrontation of us being in the wrong seats SO much better than I did. I'm still turning red just thinking about it. (Major props to him also for running who knows how many blocks from the arena to the parking garage to return my camera after they wouldn't let me in the building with it.)

Not all moments are good or easy, and this next one falls into that category. Last January, we said goodbye to Ryan's Grandpa Echelbarger. Ryan served as one of the pallbearers, and even though my pictures were terrible, his sister grabbed this one, and I'm thankful she did. This was our first time to walk the grieving road together (for family, anyway) and Ryan handled that season so well.

In sickness and in health, right? We had a mostly healthy year, but I did get zapped with a nasty bug last winter, and Ryan stayed up with me all night (on a work night) and registered for an online doctor visit so I could try to get some medication to help me. This is what love looks like. This was something like three in the morning.

We spoke together for the first time this year, and I loved it. (Ended up doing it two more times before the year was out!)

And even when he wasn't speaking with me, he was right beside me at every event, taking care of more technical things than I can even explain to you, supporting me in prayer, taking pictures, and listening to stories from many who wanted to share!

And he makes the best game show host.

He's such a great blend of amazing and crazy. I would have had a broken face if I'd tried this. (And in the spirit of working out, can I just say how much I appreciate his commitment to be healthy and to help me become healthier? I sent him a picture of myself from fluffier days not long ago, and I told him I know if he hadn't come into my life, I wouldn't be where I am today. I appreciate all he's taught me and encouraged me to pursue! That said, I won't be trying THIS.)

This year we celebrated the start of his last year in his thirties. :) Go big or go home. We did both.

And of course, who can forget the surprise party of the year...century?...life? He will get points for this for the rest of his life.

Walking together in the kidney walk was so much fun! More than my face says in this picture. #caughtoffguard

We started recording the announcements for our church (occasionally). THIS is a fun project to do together. And so far, we've remembered not to wear green.

We served together at our church in the patriotic program. Most handsome singer up there? My husband. :)

We tried out the aunt and uncle thing again. We like it. :)

We took a handful of trips together throughout the year, and each one was piled full of beautiful memories. I'm so thankful for Ryan's adventurous spirit and willingness to document everything.

We tried out the great-aunt and great-uncle thing this year. We like that too. What we don't like? 850 mile separations. :(

We made a good new friend in the last year. I don't know that the two of us have ever fallen so hard and fast for something as we did for our beloved Duck Donuts.

Except maybe coffee. There was so much coffee this year. Bless.

We saw a lot of friends this year, and that is something else I love about Ryan. He values friendship and loves to spend time with the people who fill our souls. Even met some for the first time...online friendships for the win!

We've been reading our way through the Bible chronologically, learning so much, and having great conversations about the things we've discovered.

We've had a blast with the canines in our life. (Even introducing them to each other!)

Ryan has convinced me I'm capable of so much more than I realize. And he's helped me have fun in the process!

He's demonstrated how to be a great son, how to face unexpected challenges with faith and grace, and how to blend accepting reality with having hope.

And he understands that sometimes your wife needs you to bring her donuts in the closet while she cries. Life gets overwhelming. Even when he's not overwhelmed in the same ways I am, he sees my needs and meets them.

I love him for all these things and more, but oh how I love most of all, the way he pursues the Lord with all his heart and leads me to do the same:

I love you, Ryan Shaffer. You started making all my dreams come true six years ago, and you still do it in multiple ways every single day. I celebrate year six and all it has been, for better and worse. I welcome year seven and ask God to bring a level of beauty and perfection to the love we share. Let's have more adventures!!!