Ten, and Teppanyaki!

It's our tenth anniversary, there's no tin or bling, but we did go with our boys to check out this Teppanyaki place friends told us about, that was a bit of a visual feast...

- the Flambe that had Ben both terrified and intrigued, and he would only watch it from a safe distance
- the 'smoking' onion volcano that we expected, because we've watched it before on TV, and
- the most daring of it all, the shrimp tossing! And of everyone at our table, only Vern managed to catch his, and Jon came in a close second, when the shrimp hit his lips, then landed on his plate! Not bad, eh?



So yes, it's been ten years! Yet it seemed like only yesterday, when my Pa walked me down the aisle, and handed this nervous bride over to the fine young man who was quite the radiant groom, and asked him to "Take care of her, take very good care of her."

I know, to those of you who've been married longer, a decade is not a very long time. Still, it's a milestone, a big one, to give thanks for! No denying that along the way, and after kids, and after coming here, there have been more Mars vs. Venus moments in our marriage than those beginning honeymoon years. There are always going to be expectations, that we need to balance with each others' needs and the children's, and as in any relationship, we need to constantly work on it and be communicating with each other.

Some things have not changed. The wonderful man I chose to spend my life with, he is still the one I can't wait to tell my stories to. Maybe because he's a better listener, and me, more of a yakker! My best of my best friends, my confidante, and also very much the wonderful father to our boys. From him, I learn to save on myself to give our best to the children, and he reminds me, too, that I don't always have to choose less for ourselves to have more to spread to others. That it is OK, to dote on our boys, to pamper ourselves now and then, too.

Now I'm not saying my better half is perfect, and neither am I. But in our lives together, we have been blessed in more ways than we ask for! Setting up a home away from home has also meant leaving some things behind, giving up of more perks, and putting certain plans on hold. Not that we led a luxurious lifestyle before, we didn't, but neither is life now any less complete. We have gained much in so many other ways, not to be taken for granted, and by God's grace, we have made it together, and the best is yet to be!

My wedding band I wear from 10 years ago, as a token of my love. The same my love does for me. And I am eternally grateful that I have my dearest Vern to have and to hold, for the rest of our lives! =)