Seven Years of Commitment: My Amazing Wife

On September 27th, my wife and I celebrated seven years of love and commitment to each other.  I need to share with the world just how amazing that milestone is.  It is a testament to my wife's love, commitment, patience, compassion, and intestinal fortitude.  Let's recount the wonderful years of marriage that my wife has endured as my PTSD hijacked my life and our marriage:

THREE:  The number of years I didn't take my meds because I was 'fine'.

TWO:  The number of years that financial and employment instability undermined our financial well-being.

FIVE:  The number of years that I wasn't getting quality therapy to help me learn to cope with my PTSD.

ONE:  The number of years I completely withdrew from my wife and newborn daughter completely.

SEVEN:  The number of years my wife stayed by my side and did what was necessary to get us through.

You do the math, there was substantial overlap on these 'blissful' years of marriage.  I never stopped loving my wife.  Ever.  Now, more than ever, I don't take her or my daughter for granted.  I have a lot to live up to in order honor my wife and the sacrifices she has made to stay by my side and to keep our family in one piece.

For me it starts by dedicating myself and my efforts to being an equal partner by helping around the house (I've been dedicated to this for about a month and it's been wonderful for our relationship).  Also, getting myself trimmed down and healthy.  No more half measures.  Time to go all the way and tear it up.

It's going to take consistency to earn her trust back.  I lost that and all of my credibility with her years ago.

There is nothing I want more is for her to be able to trust me and have faith in me again.  I am not striving to be the man I was - the man she met.  I am striving to be her partner, her equal.  Whatever it takes.

So here's to seven years of commitment and love and compassion, given freely by an amazing woman I am lucky to have in my life.

Happy Anniversary, Baby.  I love you will all of the pieces of my shattered soul.