Lucky number 7

Levi and I will have been together 7yrs next month. Kinda crazy to think about. Even crazier to think about how our relationship came about, evolved, and works. We truly are not a normal couple. We don't follow social norms or conventions.

Levi and I knew each other a wk before we got together. We were together only 2 wks before we unofficially moved in together and together 2 months when we officially moved in together. We were together a yr before we were engaged, 2 yrs when we were married.

Even our "family" life isn't normal. We were together only 6 months before I got pregnant. (Found out at 7 months together). I got pregnant again right away after our first child was born...we found out when he was 6 months old. Our children are literally 13 months apart.

It is kinda funny to think when "marriage" was brought up. During the first 3 days together, we talked about everything including our own personal beliefs (or lack of belief) in marriage. And that was it. We never brought it up again...not even when we found out I was pregnant. It just wasn't "important" to either of us when we found out....which, of course, makes me feel like our marriage is even better. Neither one of us pushed the matter on the other. Levi came to his own decision on whether or not to marry me. I didn't pressure him, and he didn't pressure me. Nor was there any pressure from either one of our families. Of course, no discussion of marriage or engagements at all made the proposal all that much more surprising and better...and special.

Of course, our wedding was on our own time as well. We didn't "race" anyone to the alter. We just got married when we decided to. Our wedding was made very special because even tho our wedding was small, all our family was there... his sisters, mom, and dad; my parents, and siblings. Everyone who meant the world to us. It was not just "a quickie to make it legal" nor a "race." It was our moment of love being celebrated in front of everyone we loved. Our family was there to witness this and to support us.

The fact that each pregnancy brought us together instead of tearing us apart is also truly amazing. Not many couples survive a pregnancy that early in a relationship like we did. Nor do many couples survive a second pregnancy so soon after the first one. But we did...and grew so much closer together. Each of our children was conceived in love and nothing will ever change that.

Altho we have been "legally" (as in the eyes of the law) married for 5 yrs, Levi keeps saying that we have been married 7yrs. I believe this speaks volumes in itself. It means that from the very beginning, we have been committed to each other for the long hall. Yes, originally our plan was just to have a summer fling but both of us quickly realized that Fate had other plans for us. We loved each other and knew we would be together for a long time. Through good times and bad, we have been there for each other and will continue to be so.

We follow our own rules. We go by our own natural pace. We follow no one. We refuse to go by what others say. We find out what works for us and go by that even if it isn't considered "right." Seven yrs together has taught us many things. More importantly, seven yrs together has taught us that only we can define us, no one else. Our relationship is our relationship. No one can change anything in our relationship but us.

We are equals in this relationship. Neither one controls the other. We both have a say in what happens. We are both willing and wanting to be in this relationship. We do not blackmail one or the other to keep them in the relationship. We fix the problems that make one or the other unhappy. We are open and honest w/ each other. We do not hide anything from each other. This is our relationship.

Seven yrs together plus two children and we are stilling going strong. Seven years of love and companionship with the most amazing man I know, my husband. My lover.

(Yeah my life rocks!)

Bliss!

It is so wonderful to be able to snuggle w/ my husband every night and go to bed. It is perfectly wonderful to have the same schedule as my husband. Ah those 6 pain-in-the-ass months are just a memory now.

For 6 months, Levi and I had total opposite schedules. He worked all night long while I slept. He would sleep while the kids and I were at school. He had wkends off while I worked. I spent the majority of my nights and wkends doing homework otherwise. Totally opposite schedules. The only time we really had together as a family was dinner. We made sure every night, we would eat together as a family.

But that is all over. He switched to days and the last 3 months have been amazing. We are all on the same schedule which is awesome. I am no longer working and Levi still have wkends off. I just love snuggling w/ my husband every night. The only thing that hasn't changed is that we still eat dinner together as a family...minus any date nights Levi and I have.

I seriously am just loving this. I love my family and having our family time. Now if it would just slow down on the rain so we can spend more time outside! lol.