today makes nine years.
nine years of wearing his ring.
of missing him.
of loving him,of worrying about him.
nine years of thinking he is the most handsome man alive
nine years of putting away his boots and pts (physical training clothes) while holding my nose.
four babies
four (about to be five!) states
seven homes
eight deployments.
nine years of knowing his social security number better than mine.
nine years of knowing a zillion acronyms that i never knew before.
nine years worth of fights over how i get mad and stew and when he asks "what's wrong?" i say "NOTHING.".
nine years of disagreements over how when i finally tell him what is wrong, he tries to fix it. i don't want him to fix it. i want him to listen and say he's sorry! :)
nine years of laughing at him until i fall on the floor with tears streaming.
nine years worth of movies while we snuggle on the couch.
nine years of my trying to cook something and then messing it up horribly.
nine years of him saying "oh babe this is GOOD!" with a grimace, and nine years of knowing that he's the cook in the family.
five years of being together
four years of being halfway across the world from each other.
nine years of him making that mortified face when i dance.
six years of being parents to one.
four years of being parents to two.
one year of being parents to four.
nine years of happiness,love,respect,friendship and knowing that no matter what the apart/together numbers might look like...it's worth it.
jimmy,if you are reading this i love you so much. i respect you so much. i am so proud of you and what you represent. you are my best friend and the love of my life. thank you for asking me to marry you and for giving me four beautiful little girls.I miss you! happy anniversary!
s
Steph & Jimmy, Happy 9th Anniversary!!!
Steph, beautifully written...you're the best writer, ever!
Posted by: Ret Cudmore | 03/29/2012 at 06:09 AM
Happy Anniversary!!!
Posted by: Danielle Higginbottom-Brown | 03/29/2012 at 06:12 AM
Happy Happy, honey! May there be many many many more numbers to come :) xoxo
Posted by: Kelly Goree | 03/29/2012 at 06:26 AM
Love all your 'numbers'!!! Happy happy anniversary S and J! Many many happy returns!
Posted by: Patty W | 03/29/2012 at 06:35 AM
Happy, happy anniversary to you and J. Thank you for all the glimpses into your lives and your heart. I wish you both many, many years of wedded bliss, love and laughter.
Posted by: Sherry | 03/29/2012 at 06:59 AM
Tears in my eyes beautiful! May God bless and watch over all of you. Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: Linda | 03/29/2012 at 07:18 AM
Such a sweet post. Happy Anniversary
Posted by: Jessica | 03/29/2012 at 07:28 AM
Happy Anniversary! Beautiful post.
Posted by: Christine F. | 03/29/2012 at 07:49 AM
Happy anniversary S & J. Praying for both of you and that you have many more.
Posted by: sherried | 03/29/2012 at 07:50 AM
Happy Anniversary! Hope you guys can spend some time together today.
Posted by: Miriam Prantner | 03/29/2012 at 08:21 AM
Happy Anni! Hope you enjoy your day together :)
Posted by: Kelli | 03/29/2012 at 08:24 AM
A very Happy Anniversary to both of you. You are a blessed couple to have each other and four beautiful, healthy daughters. God bless you with many more years (I've had 53 years!)
Posted by: Pat Cloud | 03/29/2012 at 08:26 AM
Happy Anniversary!! May God bless you with so many more :)
Posted by: Kim Boken | 03/29/2012 at 08:28 AM
Happy anniversay sweet friend! The love the two of you have for each other & your beautiful little girls is so evident on both your faces. May the next year be safe & happy for you both.
Posted by: ginny | 03/29/2012 at 08:34 AM
Happy Anniversary, Stephanie and Jimmy...wishing you another 50+ years of joy and love!
Posted by: Tinka | 03/29/2012 at 08:35 AM
Happy Anniversary!!! I LOVE that you love him like that!
Posted by: Sharon Osborn | 03/29/2012 at 08:38 AM
Happy anniversary to the cutest couple ever!
Posted by: Heather | 03/29/2012 at 08:51 AM
Happy anniversary, wishing you both a lifetime of happy anniversaries.
Posted by: Linda in aus | 03/29/2012 at 09:20 AM
happy anniversary, steph & jimmy! i absolutely love that your smiles are reflected in the sunroof of the limo in that picture!
(and i am SO with you on the acronyms!!!)
Posted by: Kimber-Leigh | 03/29/2012 at 09:21 AM
Happy Anniversary, Jimmy and Stephanie! Wishing you a bright and happy future :)
Posted by: Victoria | 03/29/2012 at 09:23 AM
Happy anniversary! I have to admit that at first glance of "four (about to be five) states" I was thinking that you were pregnant again!! LOL!!! Whooooa!
Posted by: Kami Pfingsten | 03/29/2012 at 09:25 AM
Happy Anniversary!! It's so hard sometimes to face those numbers the ones that add the time apart and how it mostly out numbers the time together. It just makes you cherish the time you have together even more and I know you do you can tell from the absolute love and joy when you express you feelings for him and the other numbers that add up to so much happiness and so much joy. Those anniversaries alone can be tough I hope you take some time for yourself to spoil yourself you deserve it!!
Posted by: Angela H | 03/29/2012 at 09:29 AM
A very Happy Anniversary to the two of you! You don't look a day older than that photo!
Posted by: Jingle | 03/29/2012 at 09:37 AM
Happy Anniversary Stephanie and Jimmy. Steph I love how you are able to express your true heart so elequently (worts and all). Hugs Ann
Posted by: Ann Lind | 03/29/2012 at 09:42 AM
Happy Anniversary Stephanie and Jimmy!!!!!!!
Posted by: clippergirl | 03/29/2012 at 09:43 AM
There go my tears again. Girlfriend, you kill me with your words. ((HUGS)) Happy, Happy Anniversary....from one Military wife to another! I hope your day is amazing.
Posted by: Shannon Shurtleff | 03/29/2012 at 09:43 AM
Congrats!
Posted by: Lauren | 03/29/2012 at 10:03 AM
Happy anniversary! You are a beautiful couple, and a beautiful family.
Posted by: Kirsten J | 03/29/2012 at 10:08 AM
Goosebumps and a few tears! Happy Anniversary to you both :)
Posted by: Elizabeth Rosemond | 03/29/2012 at 10:11 AM
Happy, Happy Anniversary!!!
Posted by: rkokes | 03/29/2012 at 10:15 AM
i love absolutely everything about this post. the summary if your marriage is so sweet and silly.
Posted by: Acompton | 03/29/2012 at 10:15 AM
Gorgeous! I'm so happy for you! Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: twitter.com/abbeyviolet | 03/29/2012 at 10:17 AM
that was so sweet. Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: joanne p | 03/29/2012 at 10:28 AM
Happy Happy Anniversary!!
I will be married for 15 years this summer...I would love to borrow your idea with the years!! LOVE it!! We are not military, but have moved A LOT!!
Love reading what you have to write!! You are an inspiration!
Posted by: Angie F | 03/29/2012 at 10:42 AM
Happy Anniversary! Sweet post :)
Posted by: Lori P | 03/29/2012 at 10:49 AM
Stephanie, you always make me cry...it's good for the soul I hear...lol...Happy Anniversary!! what a nice wedding picture, you guys looked beautiful!!
Posted by: laurie lariviere | 03/29/2012 at 10:49 AM
Happy Anniversary! Thank you for sharing such a beautiful post. :)
Posted by: Ellie Abney | 03/29/2012 at 10:50 AM
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! You have such a beautiful way with words!
Posted by: Linda E | 03/29/2012 at 11:06 AM
Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: Natalie | 03/29/2012 at 11:44 AM
Happy 9th Anniversary!
& many more years!!
Posted by: jennifer Camplin | 03/29/2012 at 11:48 AM
Happy Anniversary! I had to LOL at this as I'm learning this right now - it's my husband's first duty station :) "Nine years of knowing his social security number better than mine"
Posted by: elana | 03/29/2012 at 12:18 PM
Such a sweet post!.. Happy Anniversary to you!..
Posted by: Priya Mohan | 03/29/2012 at 12:20 PM
Love reading about how much you love your man! Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: Valerie | 03/29/2012 at 01:01 PM
Congratulations a huge accomplishment
Posted by: Gela | 03/29/2012 at 01:19 PM
Happy 9 years Steph & Jimmy!
xo
Posted by: christina rayevich | 03/29/2012 at 01:55 PM
Happy Anniversary ~ Congrats!!!!
Posted by: Dena | 03/29/2012 at 02:02 PM
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!! Here's to many more!!! God Bless you and your husband!
Posted by: Lissa | 03/29/2012 at 02:15 PM
Another's heart is a rare and fragile gift
Hold it gently and with both hands.
May you always be each other's greatest gift.
Happy Ninth Anniversary!
Posted by: RobynS | 03/29/2012 at 04:23 PM
Beautifully written & as always, so truthfully put. I wish you Happy Anniversary & many, many more loving years together. Love the wedding pic.
Posted by: Bessie Segal | 03/29/2012 at 04:42 PM
Beautiful, beautiful post. Happy anniversary, Stephanie & Jimmy!
Posted by: Laura | 03/29/2012 at 04:44 PM
Happy anniversary guys!!!!
Posted by: Bea Monforte | 03/29/2012 at 04:45 PM
Happy Anniversary!!! Beautiful words!
Posted by: Corey Brock | 03/29/2012 at 05:19 PM
Happy anniversary! You have had a very busy and blessed marriage!
Posted by: JoLynn | 03/29/2012 at 05:22 PM
Happy Anniversary!! You two got married 2 days before my younger son was born!! Congrats!
Posted by: Nicole W | 03/29/2012 at 05:46 PM
just BEAUTIFUL! happy anniversary!
Posted by: Diana Waite | 03/29/2012 at 06:18 PM
Stephanie! Happy Anniversary to Jimmy and you! Today is also my wedding anniversary! My husband and I have been married for 4 years :)
It's a good day! :)
Posted by: Justine | 03/29/2012 at 07:33 PM
Happy Anniversary!
Such a sweet post!
Posted by: Amy P. | 03/29/2012 at 07:42 PM
Happy Anniversary, Steph and Jimmy!!!! Wishing you many many more!!! (I remembered when I saw the title to this in my email inbox. Remembered from last year and because my middle's bday is today. :) )
Posted by: Michelle | 03/29/2012 at 09:30 PM
Happy Anniversary!!!!!
Posted by: Erin R | 03/29/2012 at 10:45 PM
That was beautiful. Happy Anniversary!!!
Posted by: Angie M | 03/29/2012 at 10:55 PM
Stephanie, I receive your updates through email and usually read them and go 'awwww' or tear up at your cute girls, without commenting. I just felt a NEED to come and wish you and your husband a very happy anniversary - so hard when you are apart. Your writing is phenomenal, you bare your soul so eloquently and willingly. Thank you for letting me share in your world!
Posted by: Claire | 03/30/2012 at 02:51 AM
Happy Anniversary to the sweetest, loving, happy in love couple I know !!! This was fun to read, love the way you write!!
Posted by: dawn | 03/30/2012 at 04:05 AM
Happy Anniversary! Congratulations on 9 blessed years!
Posted by: Amy K | 03/30/2012 at 04:13 AM
Awww ... so sweet! (sniff, sniff ... please pass the tissues)
Happy Anniversary!!!
Posted by: Gayle W. | 03/30/2012 at 05:26 AM
Happy anniversary! Love that photo! You are so beautiful! My hubs and I celebrate 20 years next month.....I'm so excited!
Posted by: Kathy Martin | 03/30/2012 at 06:36 AM
happy anniversary!!!
Posted by: Jessica B | 03/30/2012 at 08:01 AM
fabulous post Steph hope you have a fabulous day ( in know he is not here but have some happy thoughts about you guys )
Posted by: caroline hancock | 03/30/2012 at 04:07 PM
Love. Love. LOVE THIS.
Posted by: Koko @ Koko Likes | 03/31/2012 at 12:11 AM
Happy Anniversary! And (((hugs))). Becca :-)
Posted by: Becca | 03/31/2012 at 12:34 PM
Oh.My.Gosh. I feel like such a snoop for reading that, but thank you for sharing it with us. I'm completely crying right now, because I'm so happy that you guys have each other and love each other THAT much.
Happy Anniversary ♥
Posted by: Tracy L. | 04/01/2012 at 02:18 PM