One Lifetime Won’t Be Enough For Us

Don't let your vacation time go to waste! Here are 3 reasons you need a vacation to stay productive, active, and healthy in all aspects of your life.

This article may contain references to some of our advertising partners. Should you click on these links, we may be compensated. For more about our advertising policies, read our full disclosure statement here.

Ten years ago today, I took a chance and drove to Chicago to meet you for the very first time. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I knew it was something I had to do. We had been talking for five years by then, and I knew that I would only have the chance for so long.

So I went with an open heart and an open mind.  I still remember how I felt when I opened the door to my hotel room and saw you face-to-face.  It was one of those moments you only read about in romance novels.

Fireworks.  Love at first sight. 

It was like nothing I had ever experienced.

I’ll never forget the way my heart fluttered when you held my hand in the cab on the way to Scuzi, the Italian holly greg chicagorestaurant where you planned our dinner.  The rest was a whirlwind, but I know we talked all night.  Then I remember driving through that winding parking garage the next morning when we decided we would try to make it work.

“If we decide to be a couple, that means you’re mine,” I said.

“Let’s do it,” you said.

So that’s exactly what we did.

holly weddingYears went by as you went back to school to earn a second degree that made more sense for our future.  I spent weekends driving to see you in Cincinnati, and it was there that we really, truly fell in love.  Then you proposed to me, and of course I said “yes.”  There was nothing I wanted more than to marry you and spend the rest of my life by your side.

Then we had children…miracles!

greg lydia vivian

I fell in love with you all over again as I watched you become a father for the first time.  I loved watching how gentle you were with our little girls- softly cradling them, changing their tiny diapers, and tickling their tiny toes.  You got up in the middle of the night with them when I was too tired, and you did more far more than your share when I was suffering with chronic back pain.  But you never asked for anything in return, and you never made me feel bad about it.  Instead, you would ask me if I was okay and continue caring for all of us.  You are the best family man I have ever known.

Then, a few years ago, you supported me when I wanted to quit my job to write full-time.  Shortly after that, I let you quit yours.  It didn’t work out, and you were crushed.  But you swallowed your pride and did the only thing you could do- you moved on.  You quickly found a similar job in a nearby town, and we decided to move.

One Lifetime Won’t Be Enough For Us

I still remember that day we went house-hunting and the reality of our situation finally hit us.  We were standing in someone else’s bedroom when we noticed one of those silly wall decals above their bed.

“Just one lifetime won’t be enough for us,” it said.  And we both bawled our eyes out because, at that moment, it seemed like we would never be happy again.  It was then that we realized that big mistakes have consequences, and that the move was really happening.  We didn’t want to go through with it, and we were heartbroken.

But life went on, as it always does.  We found a home we adored and fell in love with our new neighborhood.  We realized that a house is just four walls and a roof, and that our family is what makes a house a home.  We started over in our new town, made some new friends, and moved on with our lives….together.

A Decade of Love and Happiness

Life with you hasn’t always been perfect, but it’s been sooooooooo close.

You’ve made me happier than I ever thought possible.  You’ve made dreams come true I never knew I had.  I’m so glad I took a chance ten years ago today.  If I hadn’t, I simply cannot imagine what my life would be like.  I’m sure I would be happy, but I know I couldn’t be as happy as I am when I’m with you.

Ten years ago today, I took a chance and changed my life.  I met you.  And every day since then has been more amazing than the one before.  And every day I fall more in love with you and what we have.  We’ve spent a decade together now, and I hope it’s just the first of many more.

One lifetime may not be enough for us, but I know we have to make the most of every moment we get.  Time is all we really have, after all, so let’s make it count.  Let’s run away together every chance we get, and continue making plans for the many years we still have left.  And let’s forget about the rules too.  We never cared for them anyway.

I love you.  Happy anniversary.

Similar Posts

Disclaimer: Comments, responses, and other user-generated content is not provided or commissioned by this site or our advertisers. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by this website or our advertisers. It is not the responsibility of our advertisers or this website to ensure that all comments and/or questions are answered. Club Thrifty has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Club Thrifty and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

51 Comments

  1. Happy Anniversary to you two! What a sweet post. May you have many more wonderful years together!

  2. Congrats on 10 years Holly, thanks for sharing this for us all to read.

  3. Awww, too nice. We just had our 5 year wedding anniversary, which also marked 10.5 years of being together as a couple. It’s amazing how quickly the time flies when you’re having fun! =)

    1. It really is amazing! Time does fly. I’m starting to feel old!

  4. Wow. Just wow. Thank you for that and for spending your life with me! I love you with all of my heart.

    On another note, my card for you kind of looks cheap in comparison to this, now 🙂

  5. If I ever run into someone that doesn’t believe in true love I am sending them to this post! WOW

    Happy Anniversary!

  6. This was so touching! Thanks for sharing this with us. Happy 10th Anniversary!

  7. Absolutely beautiful post Holly! Congrats on ten years and wishing you many, many more!

  8. So sweet! Thank you for sharing! Happy anniversary to you. We just celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary and there’s nothing better than going through life with your best friend and loving partner at your side. Congrats to you!

  9. Ben @ The Wealth Gospel says:

    Happy Anniversary! 🙂

  10. This was so beautiful Holly!! Last October was my 10 year anniversary and it is why I do Top Tens on my blog every Friday, to celebrate my love for an amazing man. Husbands are not perfect, but sometimes you find one who is perfect for you and things just start to make sense. I hope you and Greg have something special planned to celebrate!

  11. Tom and I have been married 37+ years and each year is better than the last. Happy anniversary and best wishes for many lifetimes to come.

  12. Happy Anniversary! Time goes very quickly so enjoy every minute of it.

  13. Happy anniversary! I love reading about you guys, your family, and how perfect for each other you are. Congrats on finding your other half!

  14. Beautiful post, Holly. But I have to ask – was this supposed to be an email or some type of letter or something? Did you accidentally go into WordPress instead of Word? Just messing with you : P Happy Anniversary to you two!

  15. Oh Holly. Such a beautiful tribute. I feel the same way about Chris – one lifetime won’t be enough for us either. I love that sentiment. Happy Anniversary and to many more happy and loving years together.

  16. Lisa E. @ Lisa vs. the Loans says:

    Excuse me while I wipe my tears from my face – that was so sweet! Happy Anniversary, you two!

  17. What a sweet post! So beautiful. Happy anniversary and cheers to many more years of love. Ain’t it the best? 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.