10 years of wedded bliss

Today Kevin and I celebrate 10 years of marriage. We joked about it being "10 years of wedded bliss" with sarcasm. I looked up "bliss" and it is defined as perfect happiness, serene joy. You know what Kev? It has been 10 years of bliss. Serene joy describes the mood we try achieve in our home, and most days days are successful at obtaining. Even in the months after Koen's death, we may have lacked joy, but our home was still filled with serene love. I soak in the calm and laughter that seems to be at your very core. My favorite place to be is by your side with our boys. Even in our darkest of days, you are my safe place. You have been my biggest source of comfort and joy for the last 17 years.

As we watched our wedding videos this last weekend, the songs we chose struck a chord with me. Their lyrics rang true 10 years ago, but even more so today. Even more after what we have endured and survived together.

We sang, "Come What May" from Moulin Rouge to each other during our wedding ceremony:

And there's no mountain too high, no river too wide
Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side
Storm clouds may gather and stars may collide
But I love you, I love you
Until the end of time

Come what may, come what may
I will love you until my dying day
Oh, come what may, come what may
I will love you, I will love you

Our first dance as husband and wife was to "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban:

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit awhile with me

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be

With our wedding party we danced to "My Best Friend" by Tim McGraw:

Oh we just get closer
I fall in love all over

Every time I look at you
I don't know where I'd be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You're my best friend
You're my best friend

No matter what comes our way I rest easy knowing that my best friend will be there to raise me up. Kevin, you are the only person I want sitting beside me in the hospital when I am hurting. You are the only person I want to lay next to after a big day. You are the only one who can make me laugh when I feel like crying. You are the only one I want to walk through this life with. I thank God for you everyday. It is with unspeakable joy that I call you my husband. I love you. I love you so much. Thank you for 10 years of wedded bliss.