Eight Great Years!

Dan and I will have been married eight years tomorrow. Isn't that unbelieveable?! It doesn't seem so long, that's for sure, but then, it seems like we've been together forever at the same time.

Now, although I have plenty of sappy, loving things to say, they aren't going to be said on this blog! I'll say them to Dan instead, who will probably appreciate them more and not throw up a little bit in his mouth while he hears it, like you might if you had to read it. Instead, I'll take a cue from Caity's recent blog and talk about how things are with Dan and I today.

1. How long have you been married? Eight years.
2. How long did you date? Ummm...technically since I was 16, but I think we "knew" earlier than that: I was 14. That's 14 years.
3. How old is he? Dan's 29 - he'll be 30 in Feb.
4. Who eats more? At one sitting, it's definitely Dan, but on some days I bet I eat more just by grazing.
5. Who said "I love you" first? That's hard to remember. I think it was Dan...
6. Who is taller? Dan, by a lot - he's 6' 2"
7. Who sings better? Well, I guess I do, but there's a lot of untapped potential in Dan's voice.
8. Who is smarter? Dan would probably say I am, because I have all of this information in my brain, but when it comes to practical and useful things, it's Dan by a mile. I write better than he does but he can do nearly EVERYTHING you can imagine, so there it is.
9. Who does laundry? Me, mostly.
10. Who does dishes? Me, mostly.
11. Who cooks dinner? Me (or at least I buy it from somewhere!)
12. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do.
13. Who pays the bills? Our computer and bank work together on that one. :)
14. Who mows the lawn? Dan - I've done it before but he's, I don't know, 40 times faster than me.
15. Who drives when you're together? Usually Dan, but if I want to get somewhere fast I drive. It seems faster if I'm driving.
16. Who is more stubborn? Um, we both are, but I'm more vocal. Surprise.
17. Whose parents do you see the most? Mine. They live nearby.
18. Who proposed? Dan did. That is a whole separate post!
19. Who has more friends? I guess I have more friends, but Dan has more work acquaintances and interaction with the outside world.
20. Who has more siblings? If you include all of my stepsiblings along with my one natural sister, i have 8 siblings, as opposed to Dan's 7 natural siblings. But if you include HIS stepsiblings he has MANY more. In fact, I cannot count them.
21. Who wears the pants? Get ready - sit down - put down your drink - Dan does! I just talk more. The buck stops with him.

There are a few things that I particularly love about Dan that I want to post here, for posterity. :)

First of all, he's the perfect dad. Our kids are both enamored with him. He has a really deep sense of spirituality that moves him to tears, which I find endlessly endearing. He knows the value of work and isn't afraid of it - snow and cold won't stop him from fixing the car or taking out the trash! I have never worried about whether or not he can provide for our family's necessities, and some wants. He is faithful in his covenants. He isn't fake. He has a funny laugh - when he sees something he finds totally hilarious, he has this kind of high, "girly" laugh that is fantastic. You should hear it. Family is important to him. He puts up with my extended family. :) He is a talented artist. There is no skill at which he does not, or could not, succeed if he wanted to (cross-country skiing and ice skating come to mind - he hit them both on the first try.). He loves me and thinks I'm beautiful no matter how self-deprecating I am. We share the same goals and values. He accepts, more or less, my devotion to Walt Disney World. We like the same things, except for seafood, and the best part of my day is when he's done with work and can be with our family.

I've loved you nearly forever, Danny, and I'm so grateful you married me. I must have done something very right in the pre-existence to find you!

Oops. Sorry to my Loyal Fans for that Sappy Moment.

And I'm curious - what side of the bed does everybody sleep on? Just wondering.