This weekend Ricardo and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. We can't believe it's been 5 years since we headed down the isle to start our life together. It's always fun to think about what has changed in your life from year to year on a birthday or special event but when it comes to remembering 5 years...there's a lot of changes that have occurred, some good and some sad.
Ricardo became a US Permanent Resident after we got married which enabled him to go to Venezuela for the first time in approximately 5 years. That was really exciting for him and for his family. And, the trip wasn't too shabby for me either :). Another trip to Venezuela ensued in these last 5 years as well. He also became a US Citizen! I finished my Masters Degree and moved on to the job I have now which was a huge step up from what I was doing before, particularly in pay! Yay for us! Ricardo opened the karate school. Although the school provides us with some stress, it has provided us with some wonderful, godly friends that we absolutely will cherish for the rest of our lives. We are forever grateful for their friendship and the support they provide to us on a daily basis. We are also grateful for the friendships we continue to have in those that were in my life before we got married. Of course, we cannot forget Ricardo's new place on the US National Karate Team either. We've been to Disney World twice as a family, bought new cars, another house, and a lawn mower. We've enjoyed lots of wine, sangria, and great food.
We have these tiny little clothes mixed in with ours now where before it was just the two of us. Never before was our life so full of joy and so full of challenges as it is now. Our son continues to be our greatest accomplishment in those 5 year!!! Right now, he is cooking fake food on his fake grill for us because he claims we're hungry.
Unfortunately in 5 years you cannot have good times without the bad. My little dog Maverick died last year unfortunately after my poor husband spent all that money to save his life only 1 month after we were married. I'm not so certain Ricardo feels that was money well spent...everyone knows he is not the biggest lover of dogs. Our biggest loss of all though was the passing of my dad last summer without warning. I continue to feel sad that Alexander will not know him personally and that my dad has not witnessed all of Ricardo's accomplishments in karate. I know he would really enjoy seeing Alexander at his best which we all know is being ornery. Dad would certainly encourage that behavior I'm sure. We've both lost two uncles in the past year, Ricardo's Uncle Domingo and my Uncle Mark. Again, we're sad that Alexander will not have the pleasure of knowing them as he grows up.
Yes, 5 years brings many changes and challenges and I'm sure I could list a lot more but for now it's fun to recap some of the basics and enjoy the memories we have and look forward to the ones we've yet to create!
