Two years as a Seidler

Yesterday S and I celebrated two years of marriage. 

2 years.

24 months.

730 days. 

17,520 hours.

1,051,200 minutes.

Woah. 

I know, I know.  It's not that long.  And in the grand scheme of life, it's really nothing at all.  But these days, it seems like anything longer than Kim Kardashian's 72 day marriage is something to be excited about. 

So.  What has life been like for the Seidler's since June 22, 2012? 

Shortly after our wedding, S left for ait (training) in Virgina.  He was only gone for 3 months, but luckily I was able to take a trip out and see him.  Of course we made a trip, with my very sick husband, to DC.  

A few months later, we had moved to Fort Drum and found out S (voluntarily) would be deploying.  I took this as the perfect opportunity for some pre-deployment pictures!  Thankfully Ria, of Ri & He Photography, was able to fit us in :) 

While S was gone, I spent my time sprucing up our new home, hanging out by the lake, and making friends.  

My parents also made a trip out, and we were able to see Niagara Falls and Boldt Castle.  Lots of fun memories were made! 

Sean spent his time doing manly, soldier things ;)   

Finally, after 8 long months apart, he was home!  It was everything I imagined it would be.  It was absolutely perfect! 

In the months following his return, we went fishing, I pinned him with his cab (combat action badge), we took post-deployment pictures, went to our first ball together, and drove to Chicago for Thanksgiving.  Overall, we just completely enjoyed being together again!

We also celebrated what we thought would be the arrival of our first baby.  Unfortunately, that wasn't a part of God's plan for us.  It was the most difficult thing I've ever been through, but I'm thankful for the lessons I've learned since then. 

In December, we took a late honeymoon, home from deployment vacation.  It was amazing, despite a rough (literally) first day at sea.  We were happy for a few days away and unplugged.  The weather was amazing, and it was just a good time for us to reconnect after 18 months of marriage with very few of them spent together. 

Christmas was super low key and was spent at home with just the 3 of us.  It was the perfect way to end 2013!

During the winter and into the spring, we were able to go on a couple of marriage retreats through the Army to Niagara Falls and Lake Placid.  Sean also graduated from WLC (warriors leader course), and shortly after we drove to Chicago to pick up Jayden. 

We are now officially in to summer and happy to have the warm weather around after such a long winter!  

When you're little and think about what marriage is like, I feel like most people think of it as a fairy tale.  A fairy tale it is not.  But it is beautiful in it's own way.  

It's hard.  

It's frustrating. 

It's overwhelming.

And yet it's one of the biggest blessings of my life.

Marriage is not easy.  Not by any stretch of the imagination. 

But I know that God has brought us together and brought us to where we are for a purpose and a plan.

We are so completely blessed to have one another, and I pray that we have many, many years together ahead of us.

Here's to the joy, the pain, the blessings, the trials, and everything in between.

I love you more than words can say, and I hope that each day I show that to you.  You are my best friend, my hero, and my one true love.  I'm thankful for all you do for our family.  I love you always and forever :)