A year and 6 months ago today Clint and I got married; in some ways that seems like FOR-E-VER ago; I can't believe I have been married such a short time. Plus we have experienced a lot of living in that short time. On the other hand I still wake up in the mornings sometimes surprised that I am 26 and married. I still often think of myself as 18!

I have been thinking a lot about falling in love these past few days. (the influence of good ol' Valentines Day I'm sure) Ahhh the joy of it! When Clint and I fell in love it was tax season for him- which meant 10-12 hour days 6 days a week. I was in the middle of my rigorous Master's degree- which meant days from 8 in the morning until 10 at night some days. Still, when we were first dating we found it within ourselves to stay up until 1 or two almost every night just talking and getting to know each other. Nothing but love could give you that much energy. I have been missing that giddy anticipation that comes when you are just learning about someone and are so hopeful and excited to see more and more of them revealed (not like that!). There is something chemical about the early stages of love that intoxicates us. It is like a drug.

However- I would trade that burst of intoxication for what remains after the chemicals have settled down any day. The comfort and peace of knowing someone chooses me today and tomorrow and when I am 80. The confidence that comes from the fact that some one I think is really cool thinks I am really cool too. And the anticipation of who we can be together. There is nothing that makes being stranded hundreds of miles away from friends and family with no job, no money and no direction more palatable than knowing that the person I am married to is just as miserable as I am. It somehow makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!