What I've Learned in 6 Months...

I'm taking a break from my intense attempt at studying for the GRE (which I take today.....hm......) to tell you all that today, Dane and I have been married for 6 months. We're halfway through the treacherous "first year of marriage". It's been a breeze, let me tell ya :) Kidding! To celebrate the 6 months we've been patiently, lovingly, happily, perfectly united in marriage, here are 6 things I've learned so far (I've learned more than 6, by the way.... just in case you were worried):

#1: Love/Marriage does not equal met expectations. 
It took me most, if not all and probably more, of these 6 months to understand that expectations are dangerous. They can hurt and frustrate and damage a beautiful relationship. I've had to learn that, no, Dane cannot read my mind and do the exact thing I want him to do in the way I want it done. It took me a long time to understand this. I feel like I've gotten better at this (and maybe thinking I have means I really still suck at it...). It's hard to not get disappointed when I say something and not get the response out of him I want...or when I've had a bad day and I don't get the exact amount of love and care that I need. It's hard to not get frustrated when I clean up and don't get the compliment I want or expect. See, expectations equal frustration, disappointment, etc. This leads to negative emotions, most likely an argument or a cold shoulder, and it never turns out good. Just a little heads up for those planning on tying the knot.......

#2: Budgeting isn't always fun.
It's hard, especially when I'm used to going out to eat when I want, buying clothes I need want when I need want them. But, I will say that it is comforting and securing to know that we're gonna make it comfortably on what  we have. Necessity is the mother of invention........ and I'm grateful that Dane takes our budget seriously. Thank you, Lord, for that!


#3: Marriage can turn a cynic into a sap.
Yes, it's true. I never considered myself the marrying type. I never dreamed about my wedding when I was little, or in high school, or in college. I never saw myself settling down until later in life, and never really dreamed or thought about having kids. Now, when I think about how lucky I am to have an incredible husband and a God who planned this path for me, I (8 times out of 10) cry out of happiness. When I see a child or hear a child's voice, I tear up and wish, wish, wish. What in the world......... I'm telling you, I've been blindsided.

#4: I've become a cleaner.
If you ever stepped into any of my living quarters throughout my life (my room at home, my dorm, my room in the chi o house) you would've never thought of me as a cleaner or an organizer. SURPRISE: I've become one. I can't stand to have dirty dishes, I sweep twice a week, I clean the bathroom once a week.... I'm telling you. Marriage changes you (for the better :)). I'm still not much of an organizer (not that I like clutter), but luckily, I married a slightly OCD man who organizes things. So, I'm off the hook. It's so funny to see him get in my car and just sigh out of slight frustration at the items strewn all over my car. But hey, I'm workin' on it :)

#5: I'd rather hang out with my husband than do anything else.
What can I say....I'm a newlywed loser. And I know this will fade. And it doesn't come in handy when I need to get things done (a.k.a. thank-you notes, studying for the GRE, etc.) And I'm just a loser. :) But hey, at least he's cute.

#6: God is not a God of coincidence.
 It blows me away to think of the path I've traveled on to get where I am. Who ever thought this would happen? God's plan for Dane and I has blown me out of the water, and will continue to. Who thought that when I went through the Happening in high school that I'd meet friends who'd influence me to work at Camp Wesley Pines, who would influence me to choose MSU, which would influence me to become a Chi O, where I would meet friends and go through circumstances that brought me to RUF, that I would meet Jessica Merriam Akin, who would invite me to the RUF Halloween party, where I would meet Dane, and the rest would be history? CRAZY, AWESOME, EXTRAORDINARY. I couldn't have done it..... Thank you, Lord, for where I've been, where I am now, and where You will lead us. You're good, really really good. You got me big time.