five years!

Today, we have been married five years!

Five years, with four of those spent in the little town of Mae Sot, Thailand.

And recently, one relaxing week spent on the beaches of southern Thailand to celebrate these five years! But more photos on that to come when I’m not in the middle of said relaxing.

Despite the many words filling this blog, I never know what to say of Stephen. He’s simply my best friend, and I’m so thankful he is willing to spend so many days and hours with me.

Our first year together was such fun, spent in the tiniest studio apartment and lived on the tiniest budget. I remember our evenings out to get Braum’s ice cream cones, a date for less than $3.  I remember turning the shower on full heat, completely empty, to warm up the room, simply because our water bill was included in the rent.

And then we took the leap to Thailand, where the last four years have just held more mayhem than we ever thought possible. I can confidently say I wouldn’t have made it without his unwavering patience, grace, and kindness to me. He has allowed me the space and safety to learn, to hurt, & to question. It is amazing to see him be the image of Christ to me, as well as to so many around us. He loves well.

And he has made it an adventure. He makes me laugh when we are really just frustratingly confused. He makes it romantic when we are really just in the armpit of Thailand. He is my best friend when the two worlds we live in feel so far apart.

I hope five years is just the beginning.