Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

Sixteen years together

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Sixteen years ago I walked down an aisle, said “I do,” and entered this married life that’s been nothing like I expected but better than I could have imagined.

Before you think I’m romanticizing it all, married life hasn’t always been easy, but we’ve walked through hard seasons together.

Together.

That’s the point.

Sometimes I look at the world around me and get frustrated with how family has taken a back seat to prosperity and new age mottos of chasing dreams and being all you can be. But then I look at my husband and am thankful God planted us on the same page with how we want to be a family. Being parents has made us better for and to each other.

I’m also thankful that for the second consecutive year he’s gotten my minivan professionally detailed as my gift. Last weekend we went out on a date – dinner at a favorite restaurant, mini golf, and some arcade games – because we’re spending our actual anniversary in St. Louis with our kids and our best friends. Nothing says happy anniversary like a hotel room and three kids. But, really, there aren’t many other places I’d rather be.

In 16 years, I’ve yelled and cried and wondered what is next. But I’ve also had a steadfast partner who encourages me to pursue God, family, and community. I’ve been far from the perfect wife, but God has used married life to sanctify me day by day and year by year. And it’s been a (mostly) fun journey.

So here we are, 16 years as Mr. and Mrs. Taylor — the greatest adventure, especially with three kids by our side. I say “I do” over and over again as I wash another load of laundry, pick up more groceries, (slowly) get on board with all his entrepreneurial ideas, plan another trip, and (eventually) embrace the unexpected adventures.

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Read other anniversary posts: Five years. Six years. Seven years. Nine years. Ten years. Eleven years. Twelve years. Thirteen years. Fourteen years. Fifteen years.

I also joining Five Minute Friday with this post because today’s prompt {ANNIVERSARY} was perfectly timed.

Celebrating 15 years, practically.

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This seems like a big anniversary. Tomorrow Greg and I officially celebrate 15 years of marriage.

I’m grateful for where we are as I keep hearing about marriages not making it. I’m relieved I’ve managed to grow up since the hot day I said, “I do.” I’m certain God gave us this life together for reasons I know without a doubt and those I don’t even know yet.

Fifteen years reminds me we are rooted and committed. We have rhythms and inside jokes. We don’t have to talk about everything because we know how each other think yet we want to talk because we’re in this together.

We have a babysitter tomorrow night so we can go to out to a local Japanese restaurant and then buy a new mattress. We may even go to Lowe’s to pick out tile and countertops for a partial kitchen remodel. Oh, and Greg scheduled a professional to clean out my minivan – and I’m giddy about it!

Perhaps that practicality mixed in the date is what fifteen years is about.

We’ve got to do what we need to do,
and doing it together is my favorite way.

{Tweet that.}

You see, Greg has seen the worst of me but believes in the best of me. He’s helped me become a better version of myself because he’s in tune to what God wants for us. That’s what fifteen years of marriage has done and what the years to come will do.

*****

Read other anniversary posts :: Five years. Six years. Seven years. Nine years. Ten years. Eleven years. Twelve years. Thirteen years. Fourteen years.

Earlier this week, I shared about one of my favorite fiction reads of the year, if you’re looking for your next book.

Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories
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14 years together

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Oh, we had no idea the adventures to come … 

Greg bought me a new dishwasher for our anniversary.

That statement alone sounds like we have a rather boring life. But, really, I’m craving some normal after an adventurous summer. And what screams everyday normal more than a dishwasher?

My husband’s let’s-live-in-the-country dream came true when we moved in June. And I’m loving that his dream because part of our family’s story. Since moving, we’ve been on three trips – four nights in Buffalo, three nights in St. Louis, and now we are in the midst of a week with my family at Hilton Head.

Our summer has been full of packing and unpacking, getting settled enough before the next adventure, while tending to our everyday responsibilities. And our summer pretty much epitomizes our marriage.

It’s been 14 years since we said “I do” and then started sweating as soon as we walked outside. (August, people.) It’s been 14 years since we started journeying through the everyday moments between big adventures … together.

We’ve fought and negotiated. We’ve learned to communicate better and have a rhythm that works for us. Like so many other parts of life, the best comes on the heels of the hard. I’ve liked {our} marriage more and more the longer we’ve been together.

We repeat the same jokes and usually laugh at them. We like to adventure away from home and in our back yard. Parenting has strengthened our marriage, even in the messes and noise. And we like to be together.

This is our recipe for life: Take some adventure and then mix in some normal moments. {Tweet that.} And, you know, sometimes he even unloads the dishwasher for me.

Happy anniversary, husband. Here’s to many other adventures, but let’s have some nights at home too.

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Want to read other anniversary posts? Five years. Six years. Seven years. Nine years. Ten years. Eleven years. Twelve years. Thirteen years.
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