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Celebrating 10 years of for better and for worse

By Kelli Robinson | Statesville R&L

Published: June 11, 2009

And the soccer vs. football comparison is a jab that my husband gets, because we understand each other quite well. Not to say we don't give each other pause … and eye rolls, groans, and "whatever's." In my opinion, any couple claiming never to disagree lacks honesty, a critical component to a successful relationship.
My husband and I actually have been together for seventeen years, which is almost half of our lives. Wow, this guy knew me when I had big dreams and big hair. We've experienced a lot together: Job changes, relocations, home purchases and, most significantly, the births of our son and daughter.
Becoming a parent changes marriage in ways you can't imagine until you actually experience them. My husband was an amazing source of strength, chivalry and comfort after our kids were born, fetching food and drinks, and keeping anxious family members at bay. He was also the target of jealous annoyance, sleeping soundly each night while a child cried for milk that only I could provide. Moms, can you think of anything more evil than wishing your hubby to be reincarnated as a lactating woman? I didn't think so.
Now we're in the throes of raising a 4-year-old and 6-year-old. Late night feedings have been replaced by occasional nightmares that both of us tend to. If my husband fetches a drink, he's grabbing a beer for each of us to enjoy on the deck while the kids watch a movie. Lights out replaced going out at 10 o'clock years ago. Things are different, but times are good.
We received a bottle of French wine as a wedding gift with instructions to open it on our 10 year anniversary. Will we enjoy a glass of good vino or spit out a mouthful of vinegar? If it's the latter, I'll likely furrow my brow, make a sarcastic remark, and watch my husband roll his eyes and laugh. Kind of like when we watch a soccer game. And we'll raise our glasses in toast to 5,259,488 minutes of marital bliss. Here's to another five million more.