One year in, and the juice is still worth the sqeeze...

Today, August 24th 2008, marks the one year anniversary of mine and Ashley's marriage.

I have heard many people say "The first year is always the hardest". Well, if it's not too condescending for me to offer my child like opinion of marriage, allow me to offer this little gem to anyone thinking of entering this wondrous institution.

The first year isn't the hardest. It is at most, the most revealing. It is at least, the most interesting.

I have learnt about my partner, I have shared with her. I have felt her tears on my shoulder, I have been woken by her smile. I have argued; I have won, I have lost.

I have been her comforter, I have felt at peace in her arms. I have climbed mountains with her, I have moved mountains to be with her.

You see, this year has been hard; but not because of marriage. It is the marriage that has made the year bearable. In the midst of moving overseas, new jobs, new houses, new cars, new dogs, new bills, new meetings with bank managers, new plans; I don't how I would have done it by myself.

So I find myself one year on, sitting here, in a house I had bought before I'd even thought about going to America, let alone met Ashley; and yet, it had never been a home to me, that is the gift Ashley gives me, this year on our anniversary, and for the rest of our lives.