Wednesday, September 9, 2009

I'm a Newlywed

I'm a newlywed, but I'm not a normal newlywed. On December 6, 2008 I was bound in marriage to the most wonderful man I've ever met. On December 8, 2008 we left for our honeymoon in Kaua'i, Hawai'i. We spent nine (eight? ten? I'm honestly not sure!) glorious days together in the pouring rain visiting tourist traps, eating out, enjoying our cottage by the sea ... it was a dream come true. Aaahhh the life of a newlywed.

I'm a newlywed, but I'm not a normal newlywed. On December 6, 2008 I was bound in marriage to the most wonderful man I've ever met. On that same day, I was bound in marriage to the four most amazing step-children any woman could ask for. On the same day that I was began learning how to be a wife, I also began learning how to be a mom. Upon arrival back home from the sunshine pouring rain of Hawai'i, I became instant step-mother. I became the reader of bedtime stories, the kisser of owies, the preparer of dinner, the receiver of the flying football, the referee who breaks up fights, the cuddler of all four children, the one who gives "lots of lots of kisses" and "smells me like a puppy", the one who's soft hair gets put into her three-year-old's ear, the washer of clothes, the giver and receiver of love.

I'm a newlywed, but I'm not a normal newlywed. I married a family. I have a husband who loves me more than I've ever known. I have four phenomenal step-children who fill me with awe and wonder and delight.

I'm a newlywed, but I'm not a normal newlywed. I was 24 when I got married. I instantly felt as if I were 42! This isn't a bad thing. When I say I felt like I was 42, I'm saying that my life as a 24-year-old had changed. I was no longer meeting friends for coffee and staying up late into the night chatting. I was no longer available for spur-of-the-moment outings. I was, however, following a schedule, driving kids to sports and loving my family more than I imagined possible.

I'm a newlywed, but I'm not a normal newlywed. I'm blessed far beyond normal newlyweds. Not only did I marry the most wonderful man in the world, but I was also blessed with the most wonderful children anybody could ask for!

I'm a newlywed, but I'm not a normal newlywed ... and that's exactly what I like most about being a newlywed!

I'm a newlywed, but I'm not a normal newlywed.