Wishcasting Wednesday - 11/17

Ever since stumbling across Jamie's blog a month or two ago, I have loved the concept and spirit behind Wishcasting Wednesday.  I don't always participate, but they do inspire me and give me pause to reflect on my own wishes and desires.  If you aren't familiar with what this is, I strongly encourage you to check it out and wish along.  The positive vibes that come from this are contagious!

Today's question is:  What do you wish to celebrate?

I've been reading the celebrations of other wish-casters and letting the idea roll around my head.  There are so many things that I am thankful for and celebrate, but as I've continued to think about this, one thing kept coming to the top of the list, and that is my relationship with my partner, Heather.

Fall 2010 - Heather (L) & Missy

Heather and I met almost 9.5 years ago.  A few years after that, we bought a house together and a few years after that, we decided to have a baby.  Our relationship was rock solid up until that point. If there was a disagreement, we worked it out pretty easily.  We found compromise in areas where we didn't see eye to eye. And overall we had a great time together.

Em's 1st Birthday - 2008

In 2008, we took on a lot of things all at once.  In hindsight, it was too much, and it started to have an impact on the pretty perfect relationship that we had.  In 2009, we decided to move back to Atlanta and try to find a balance again.  Both years were tough on us - for so many reasons.  We both handled the changes in different ways.

Montreal - 2008

2010 has been the year of the come back.  I've been trying to get back to what makes me happy.  Heather has been trying to work on a few things of her own.  We've both been working on parenting together, but we have also been working really hard at coming back to who we are as a couple.  What we've learned (and are still learning) is that we aren't really going back to who we once were as much as finding a path to a new us.  For the first 6 years, we weren't parents.  Life without kids is easier (no offense kids).  We've been challenged in so many ways in the past three years, and I'm so proud to say that we are still here - together.  There have been times where I didn't think that would be the case.  We've made a hundred changes big and small this year, but the changes have been things we've discussed.  We've taken caution with decisions (rather than flying by the seat of our pants) and we've decided together on what's most important for us.  I feel like our hard work is starting to pay off.  There are many more good days than bad.  There is a lot more laughter and peace than tension.  We are talking more.  We are spending time together more.  We are enjoying our life together more.  I'm so incredibly and humbly grateful for the gift of this relationship.  I've learned so much, shared so much, loved more than I ever thought possible and had so many dreams come true through this journey.  I have much to celebrate.  We have much to celebrate. Thank you, Jamie, for the moment of pause to recognize this.

Christmas 2009