And just like that it has been 10 years. With kids they say the days are long but the years are short. Perhaps for spouses it should be the years are long but the decades are short? Hmm…I don’t necessarily remember any of the past 10 years dragging on so maybe that’s a bad example. So let me just say this: the past 120 months have flown by.

It was a beautiful feeling walking back up the aisle with Sidney after we were married. Hard to believe that was 10 years ago!

I don’t think that could be anything but a good sign.

No joke, it does feel like yesterday that we said “I do” on a hot Myrtle Beach day inside St. Andrew Catholic Church. But even though the time has seemingly flown by, it hasn’t zipped by so fast that Sid and I couldn’t learn things along the way that have enriched our marriage.

In honor of our 10th anniversary, I wanted to share the 10 bedrocks of our marriage that have kept us happy, united, and in love…

Happy 10th anniversary, Sid! I have about 10 reasons for why our marriage has been rock solid. (photo courtesy of Nicole Lynn).

Sacramental Marriage – We got off to the best start possible by marrying inside the Church. By entering into the sacrament of holy matrimony we offered our union to God and have benefited from his abundant graces.

Strong Couples – By complete luck of the draw, we were born to parents who have inspiring, loving marriages. We admired the love our parents had for each other growing up and are even more inspired and touched by them today. The best examples we could ask for!

Teamwork Makes The Dream Work – Framing Sid and me as a team helps solidify our bond. We are truly teammates in marriage and in everything else we do. There is nothing that brings me more joy than when we work together to accomplish something, whether it be as partners in trivia or giving a retreat.

Have Kids They Said… – Anyone who is a parent could probably fill in the second half of the expression I started with. But all jokes aside (…it would be fun, they said), having Sloan and Beau solidified our marital bond even more and made life so much richer.

Just Between Us – Marriage is fun when you can be goofy and weird with your spouse. Sidney and I have inside jokes and quirks that no one else besides us would find funny or endearing. For example, very early on in our relationship, we went back-and-forth on whether we should buy a certain couch. We eventually made the purchase but not before we shook hands on it. Since then, whenever we have purchased something as big as a house or as small as the water filter we bought last week, we still shake hands like used car salesmen.

Traditions – Throughout our decade of marriage we have built so many traditions—both big and small. And while Sid might roll her eyes at some of the really small traditions I insist we do, it has been a joy to practice traditions our own families passed down while also establishing totally original ones.

Trust Above All – It is impossible to overstate the importance of trust in a marriage. Thankfully Sid and I have it. Going through some early health issues with Sloan and Beau battled really helped establish our trust with each other. In ensuing years, that bond of trust just strengthened even more.

Strong Support – Throughout the past 10 years, we have each gone through our own issues. But thankfully we always had each other squarely in our corners during those tough times. Especially during periods of loss, this support we have been able to give each other has powered us through and boosted our marriage even more.

Sacrifice – A marriage rooted in both small and large sacrifice is bound to succeed. From Sid sacrificing her sleep to iron my clothes or me re-arranging my work schedule so I can cover Sid’s shift to pick up the kids, these small sacrifices go a long way. But I don’t skirt the fact that my wife is the one who has made the real major sacrifices in our marriage. Her willingness to leave the only home she has ever known to move out west so I could advance my career will always define the true meaning of sacrifice.

Keeping It Fresh and Exciting – Get your minds out of the gutter, people! I am talking about our strategic asks of my parents to watch the kids so we can go on date nights, our Friday evenings of sharing dessert/watching true crime, and our effort to always have something on the calendar to look forward to. In fact, Sid and I have something pretty special planned to celebrate our milestone anniversary later this month.

Words don’t describe how lucky I am to be married to this woman. I love you, Sid!

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So now we turn our sights to the second decade of marriage. Here’s to the next 10 years of sacrificing for each other, working as an undefeated team, trusting each other like heck, building more traditions, and turning to God for his grace. I love you, Sid!! Don’t Blink.

Past Anniversary Blog Post Entries

Ninth Anniversary
Eighth Anniversary
Seventh Anniversary
Sixth Anniversary
Fifth Anniversary
Fourth Anniversary
Third Anniversary
Second Anniversary
First Anniversary