The Joy of 20 Years Together

home insemination Kit

I began dating my partner, Alex, when we were just 19 and navigating our college years. I still remember our first argument vividly; in a fit of frustration, he threw himself into a snowbank, and I couldn’t help but laugh. At that moment, I realized I was in love with him.

Fast forward 20 years, and wow, that’s a significant chunk of time! We’ve endured our fair share of ups and downs—everything from intense fights that included slamming doors and breaking mirrors to uncontrollable laughter that left us gasping for breath.

We’ve had days that felt like we were just passing ships in the night, living our separate lives, barely communicating with sleepy grunts over morning coffee. There were times of sheer helplessness, like that one time our youngest kiddo, Lily, got sick after a tumble and we felt utterly lost. And let’s not forget the mornings when we both looked at each other like, “Do we really have to do this again?”

But through all of it, I know Alex is my person. He’s imperfect, a little bossy, undeniably brilliant, and yes, he has the loudest burp I’ve ever heard.

Surprising Truths About Our Relationship

There are some surprising truths I didn’t anticipate when I first spotted that goofy guy in a baseball cap, armed with a super soaker and a mischievous grin:

1. We’ve developed a communication style that’s basically just eye contact.
2. We’ve hurt each other with our words and actions over the years; marriage is really about mastering the art of letting go.
3. The human body is, let’s face it, pretty gross, yet we still find ourselves wanting to get close.
4. Small moments of perfection can be as simple as enjoying five minutes of silence together or when I step out of the shower, feeling less than glamorous, and he says, “Wow, you look amazing.”
5. There was this one day at the end of a chaotic summer, driving away while the kids waved goodbye with the babysitter, and we felt so free we almost considered not going back. Spoiler alert: we did.
6. We’ve intentionally said hurtful things just to see each other’s reactions.
7. We keep each other’s secrets close. At our age, playing “Have You Ever” over drinks is probably not the best idea.
8. One morning, the sound of him brushing his teeth made me seriously consider using his toothbrush as a weapon—but I didn’t.
9. Saturday mornings are a double-edged sword; they can be wonderfully lazy or turn into miscommunications about bacon and life insurance.
10. It’s totally okay to not want to be around each other sometimes, and that’s perfectly normal.
11. We occasionally lose each other amidst the chaos of parenting, especially when we’re up to our elbows in kids.
12. Overall, life has gotten so much better. Or maybe I’ve just learned to tolerate his kitchen “supervision” more gracefully.

A two-decade relationship has withstood countless storms. The real magic lies in waking up together after each storm, blinking sleepily at each other, and then one of us letting out a loud fart that wakes our little one, sparking giggles. That’s the essence of marriage!

Looking for more insights? Check out this link for some great information. If you’re curious about at-home insemination, head over to this resource, they have tons of resources. For further guidance on pregnancy, don’t miss this excellent resource at this link.

Summary

Celebrating 20 years together, Jamie shares the ups and downs of marriage, from communication to parenting challenges, and the small joys that come with a long-term relationship.