12 + almost 5 = almost 17

Years that is.

You see, Hubby and I dated for 4 years and 11 months before we got married.  And today, we've been married for 12 years.  So that, equals almost 17 years with my honey.

And I think the years have been good to us ~

I mean, here we are during the first summer we were dating.

(yes, I took a picture of a picture ~ notice scratches and the flash?)

And here we were Friday night 

(and the Saturday before that)

Don't you think marriage is treating us well and bringing out the best of each other?

(I think I've heard it said, that married couples start to resemble each other after awhile... 

What do you think?)

Seriously though, I'll admit,  the days have not all been fabulous. We've had lots of ups and our share of downs.  The downs don't defeat us, they only make us stronger.  We've learned that a successful marriage doesn't just happen, it takes work.  It takes love, sacrifice, understanding, trust, compromise, forgiveness and laughter.   I love who we are, what we have, and where we are going.  And I am so looking forward to the next 12..... 17...... 25......50 years and the surprises they will bring!

But from the beginning of creation, `God made them male and female.' For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.

~Mark 10 6-9