Test Drive: Life in the Fast Lane

It is hard to believe that a man I was friends with for so long would turn out to be my husband as well as the father of my amazing stepson and our two girls. (Dogs are kids too!)

One year ago today, I married my best friend on Seven Mile Beach in Negril, Jamaica. I wore a white with pink flowers sundress, he wore a button down linen shirt and khaki pants. He was dripping with sweat; I was dripping with tears, but it was the best moment of my life. I think he would agree. (Except maybe the birth of his son, C. I'll give him that.)

We celebrated by eating at a local Jamaican restaurant last night. C. tagged along as we enjoyed our jerked chicken and daiquiris. (No rum for C.) Today, we paid tribute to our marriage by doing laundry and playing soccer in the park. (Well, my athletic boys played, I watched, and the girls destroyed the soccer ball thinking it was a rolling game of fetch.)

Something like 50% of marriages end in divorce in the first few years. But, as Barney on How I Met Your Mother tells us, 88% of all statistics are made up. (Or it could be 75% or 60%. Who knows? They are made up!) Whatever the true numbers are, it seems like the spouses that survive are best friends. J. makes me laugh until I cry, can cook better than any gourmet chef, will call me out when I am being a bit of a beyotch, and seems to read my mind whether it's what I want for dinner or knowing I need to be alone and read a book.

As we celebrate our first year of wedded bliss, the phrase "for better or worse" comes to mind. I know there have been some rough times, but this really has been the best year of my life. I cannot wait to continue the journey with my partner in life.