14

I didn't remember until I was just finishing breakfast prep for the girls this morning: Today is my anniversary. As the Mr. was strolling past me in the kitchen to help with the laundry, I stared at him, a little surprised at my forgetfulness. "Happy Anniversary," I uttered. He responded with the most jolly, "Happy Anniversary!" as if he knew all along. He didn't remember either. I know he didn't.

As the girls were eating their breakfast, I asked "Do you know how long mommy & daddy have been married?" 

Pazely squealed: "Forty-two years!!"

"What?" I said, "We aren't even forty-two years old."

I gave them a riddle. "To find out how long we've been married, add Zoey's age (10) PLUS Pazely's age (8) and THEN subtract that by the number 4."

They started yelling out answers:

"15!!!"

Me: "What?"

"16!!!"

Me: "No!"

"11???"

"12???"

Me: *slaps forehead*

Despite the fact that my 3rd & 4th grader need to revisit the basics of 1st grade mathematics, the answer to the riddle is 14. The Mr. & I have been married for 14 years.

This year our anniversary falls on a Wednesday. It's a regular work day. Busy & such. We have church tonight. And the girls get out of school early today. At breakfast Zoey stated the obvious to me: "You get Pazely & I for most of the day mom!" Which means there's probably not much time for proper anniversary celebration. Pazely replied, "You can always put Zoey & I in our rooms so you & daddy can be alone."

Just to see what she'd say, I asked, "What would daddy & I do ALONE??"

I turned to see her make a pucker face & listened as she made loud kissy noises.

Zoey looked at her sister & said, "You're gross."

After the Mr. handed me a beautiful bouquet of yellow roses this afternoon, we had a nice little lunch at our favorite place in town, Gracie Mae's Bakery & Cafe. I got my usual chicken panini & the Mr. got the Cuban.
Earlier in the day the Mr. had thrown his arm up in the air, gave a fist pump, & said, "We did it!"
Seriously, I not only look at our annivesary as a celebration, but as a "We have overcome!" moment.
"We didn't give up!"
"We have made it this far!"

Marriage. Is. Hard. Work.
And anniversaries are a chance for the Mr. & I to give ourselves
HUGE FREAKING PATS ON THE BACK.
♥