One Truth: The habit in our marriage we commit to.

{Snapped by my sister in our first year of marriage on the way to a Braves game.}

Somehow Gabe and I are coming up on our 5th wedding anniversary in June. Its got me thinking a good deal about where we are at and how we got here. I thought I would share a simple habit we practice that has kept our relationship strong over the past few years....

Some habits are good habits. The kind of routine you start to look forward to, and realize you can't live without them. One of those is that we made the resolution a couple years ago to go to bed every night at the same time.

It was a pretty simple thing we talked about after a few nights that ended in quarrels over someone staying up hours too late playing playstation or working on design projects (can you guess which is which??;)) We realized that after we put kids to bed, that is our ONLY time of the day to just be with each other - attention undivided.

As a result of this resolution, we have had many late night brilliant ideas, important decisions made, and hours of dream sharing.... hours I am so thankful for.....not to mention it increases intimacy (did I make you blush? Cuz I am blushing.)

Granted, this rule is bent when a baby decides to wake up for a party at 11pm or their one of us has a deadline due in the morning, but all in all we try our best to stay true to this little resolution. Gabe is usually the champ - waiting up for me while I finish up my work load from the day.

I have come to cherish this little habit so deeply, and realize how this little habit became a #1 reason our friendship and romance in marriage have flourished.

Every couple is different, with different personalities and circumstances in life, but this is what is working for us:) What about you? If you are married, what are some habits you have held onto or begun to strengthen your relationship? 

P.S. In just the first day of the encourage beauty challenge I was totally blown away by how many of you are taking action and how you are carrying it out. Keep the stories coming!

One Truth: My worst date ever

Well, I think you all will find my worst date experience an entertaining one, and so I am letting you have a chuckle on my expense...

I seem to have only had awkward first dates. There was another in which the boy started crying before we even had dinner... will share that gem for another time perhaps.

(how I wish the date would have been. via Design*Sponge)

My Freshmen semester of college (before I met Gabe), I met a guy who liked to play tennis. He was pretty friendly, and since there weren't many other guys who played, I eagerly agreed play a match. He casually mentioned afterwards that we should hang out sometime....

One Truth: Gabe was my first and only

My close friends and family already know this One Truth.
As time goes by, I realize how rare this one truth is. I have shared this on other blogs, but have not told the tale here yet. So, for today, we will start with just this...
My husband Gabe was my first and only love. My first everything. Even my first heartbreak! But that's a story for another day...

That awkward moment...How do we pose? I don't know you go first...

I had some great guy friends throughout high school and college, but you could say that I wasn't the average boy crazy gal. I knew enjoying life and becoming my own person was the first step to being in any sort of relationship, and I knew my heart was made to give itself entirely to someone. I didn't want to have it beat up in the process. So onward I went...

When I met Gabe for the first time in college, he stirred up my whole being. It was not the cliche infatuation or crush...I had many of those. But him...something in my recognized him. It scared the crap out of me so I just ignored that something trying to tell me something, and we just became good friends.

We'll save the rest of the story for another time because really, you already know the rest of the story. I AM carrying his child and all...:)

Things can be crazy in our life but even when its a tornado Gabe is still my calm. I am convinced without a doubt that God created us for each other. I think you all know how crazy I am about him. Besides, I get to be a total goofball around him, and he makes me laugh like no one else. So just in case you were wondering...it IS possible to fall more in love with your spouse each year...

What about you? Have any One Truth's to share? You know I love them...:)

One Truth: Why I can't have chocolate or alcohol...

I love to be real with you all, and tend to write on and on once I finally sit down to do so. I think sharing just one thought at a time might be a cool way to real chat, but also learn from you all as well. What is great about the blogging community and women in general is our ability to support and encourage each other through the good and the bad. So for today, here is one truth!...

I have a stomach condition with a funny name.
As I mentioned before I would write more about this.
I have talked to more people about it, the more I realize there are so many people with undiagnosed stomach problems! Here is a little more about my mine....

Gastritis- an irritated stomach lining caused by anemia or stress (I had both in college). How did I find out I had it? My reaction to even a small glass of wine put me in the ER. I would vomit non-stop for 24 hours and border de-hydration. I felt like I was dying! I was sick the day before my sister Maria's wedding, the day before my own wedding (over a beer!), and the day before my sister Tricia's wedding. I thought it was an allergic reaction to alcohol, but when it became the same reaction to all forms of alcohol, I knew something was seriously wrong. The ER told me it was an ulcer.

Fast forward 5 years later, I finally decide to spend the money and get it taken care of. I had a gastroscopy and they told me what I thought would be a curable ulcer was an incurable stomach condition that would require a life long diet of all my favorite things in life...(not exaggerating) No caffein - no chocolate, coffee, or caffeineted tea. No alcohol (I have never been a big drinker, but don't hold me back from a margarita or a glass of vino!). No garlic, onion, or acid based food. No eating heavy meals late at night, and no fried foods (How can I live without fries??).

To be honest I have cheated on multiple occassions. I am weaning myself off of life's greatest pleasures. Maybe a little dramatic.. Truth is, there are so many other greater physical sufferings and this is just a small thing I can bear and allow it to strengthen me in virtue, right? :) You can imagine how funny the reactions get when I tell people I cannot drink. They usually assume I am perpetually pregnant or breastfeeding (which is partly true)...

TMI maybe? I share this in hopes that if you or a loved one is having severe reactions to foods, look into it before it does too much damage. My stomach and esophagus were really damaged and I have had to work on re-building them. If I had let it go too long it could have lead to cancer. Scary thought!

So now its your turn! One truth to get to know you better...can be light or steep your choice:)

P.S. Gabe is now suffering from somach problems related to food and drink. Funny how you can develop the same quirks let alone physical ailments in marriage!