because I love him

I’m taking a break from wedding stuff today; instead I want to share my joy with you and recognize a great man! This week marks two big milestones for Rich and I. First, today is our second wedding anniversary! I simply cannot believe it has been two years since we stood on that mountain in New Hampshire, hands clasped, delighting in one another, breathing in the sweetness of God’s creation, awed by His infinite love for us and the love He gave us for each other. It was such a wonderful day….that went by in a whirlwind, as they typically do. I’m so thankful for this beautiful man God brought into my life, and humbled that He determined to join my life with Rich’s. Rich’s selfless and kind heart is one I cannot even begin to describe; I am blessed by him daily.

Strong is another word I would use to describe my husband. His strength (through God!) and determination have amazed and upheld me through an illness we never anticipated. On days when I just wanted to crumble and give in to the fear, the heartache, and the sadness, Rich was going strong. He never hesitated, complained, or felt sorry for himself. And he never doubted God’s ability to carry him through. Needless to say, there are many lessons God has taught me through Rich, and I’m sure he isn’t finished!!

Last year during the week of our first wedding anniversary Rich officially completed treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and was declared in remission. Remission is exciting and scary. Exciting because you are disease free and no longer required to practically live at the hospital. And I was SO excited when the chemo port was removed from his chest! I love resting my head on his chest without feeling that hard lump under his skin! But remission was also scary because we would no longer see Rich’s doctors on a weekly basis. There really was a lot of comfort in that. We felt a bit like baby birds being pushed out of the nest and told to visit every few months! We felt unprepared, and almost as though something would certainly go wrong if we didn’t continue to see his doctors frequently. I’m told this is pretty common and that we weren’t as co-dependent as we thought.

And now this week marks a FULL YEAR of remission!! We have gotten much better at being “on our own” over the past year. We don’t feel deserted anymore. Of course, we do still see his oncologist and radiation oncologist every 3-4 months for check-ups. But otherwise, we’re officially on our way! It almost feels like I’ve started TWO new lives with Rich, one at marriage, and another with remission. We are so blessed!

Happy Anniversary, Baby! I love you!!! <3

A few images from our wedding (thanks HinkleyPhoto!) and a session we did with the fabulous Braeden Rogers back in November…..