Six years ago today, I was at the spa getting my hair and makeup done. Soon, a horse-drawn carriage would arrive to usher me into a new life. The Dominican pastor didn’t speak English, so our vows were exchanged via an interpreter. We strained to understand her, and of course I’d chosen non-traditional vows. Despite that, Adam and I dedicated our hearts to one another on a beach, this day six years ago.

On this day six years ago, I was 24. I didn’t know much about love or relationships, but I knew this man felt like home. This man could be trusted.

On this day six years ago, I couldn’t picture myself as a mother. Children scared me just a little, or maybe it was my lack of experience that scared me… either way, children were nowhere on my radar. All I knew was that I wanted to be with this man, and we’d figure the rest out as we went.

On this day six years ago, I couldn’t see the fast-approaching hard times we’d endure together. I didn’t understand that the pain would bring us closer. I didn’t anticipate how our worlds would truly begin to revolve around each other.

On this day six years ago, I was always right. I wasn’t interested in change, because why should I change if I’m right? I also had no direction. I had no passion or purpose. I had floundered, for years, just waiting for life to happen.

On this day six years ago, I made my first really smart life decision. I tied myself to him and we vowed to grow together, to graft ourselves to each other, to exchange independence for something altogether new.

And the last six years have changed us both. We are not the same people who played in Dominican waves that day. We have grown in new directions, but we’ve grown toward each other. We’ve changed and reached higher together, until it’s hard for us to tell where one ends and the other begins.

Our roots were far apart. We traveled some distance to meet in the middle, but we are stronger for it. I lean more heavily on him, and he on me, in order to be one.

And now, six years later, I could not stand without him. We’ve added branches together, we’ve weathered the same storms, we’ve looked to the sky from the exact same spot and dreamed together.

On this day six years ago, I knew a new life was beginning, but I had no idea how beautiful it would be. How could I know that he would lead me to myself, to God, to a world so much bigger than my own thoughts?

So, on this day, our sixth anniversary, thank you, Adam. As publicly as I can, I want to tell you that I never thought I could be this happy, this fulfilled, this comfortable in my own skin. I’ve never been so excited about the future or so content with the now. Thank you for believing in us. Thank you for your daily sacrifice and the million ways you love our little family. You’re the piece I didn’t know I was missing.

I love you more every day.

Sarah