The 7-Year Itch

Monday, January 8th was my 7 year wedding anniversary! Honestly...where did 7 years go?

On Saturday, Kevin and I flew to Lake Tahoe for a weekend in the mountains to celebrate. It was nice to actually see snow, since New York has been ridiculously warm. In fact, the day we flew out we packed our coats and wore short sleeves to the airport...it was 70 degrees! We stayed on the North Shore at the Hyatt and skied three days at Squaw Valley. Sunny weather everyday in the 40s...gorgeous!

We arrived Saturday night and stayed in Reno, since it was a little late to make the drive into Tahoe. We got off the plane around 10 p.m. (which is 1:00 a.m. body time) and stumbled down to baggage claim, only to find that 2 of our bags arrived...and one was stranded in Denver. Which one? The one with all the ski gear. We filed a claim, and United gave us vouchers so we could rent coats, pants, goggles, and gloves, and they actually bought us hats and thermals. After finally making through the line, filing our claim, and finding our rental car we were headed to our Residence Inn to crash.

Then, as we are driving down the highway, what do we see shining like a beacon off the highway, its bright, golden arrow pointing world weary travelers towards an haven of joy, welcoming home it's prodigal children? That's right...In 'n Out. We don't care how late it is. We don't care how tired we are. We KNOW that the cure to what ails is us a Double Double with cheese, hold the onions, and fresh-cut french fries. All is right with the world again.

We checked into the Hyatt, and then made our way to Tahoe Dave's for some gear. They outfitted us with all the requisite ski/board accoutrements and sent us out to the mountain. While we cut our teeth, so to speak, on the icy slopes of Southern California, we were seriously spoiled last year with feet and feet of fresh powder in Colorado. It took us awhile to remember how to navigate on snow that oftentimes felt more like we were skating. But we quickly remembered, and had 3 wonderful days at Squaw.

What can I say about 7 years of marriage? I can say that I truly never knew a person could have this much fun. I didn't know I was signing up for such an adventure. And I'm not talking about Mediterranean cruises and ski weekends. I mean the day to day routine of building a life the person you'd rather be with then anyone else on the planet. I mean the Saturday mornings and the Tuesday evenings. The nights on the town and the nights on the couch. The elegant 3-course dinners in chic New York restaurants, and the pad Thai at home in front of the TV. It's laundry, and movies, and cooking, and groceries, and alarm clocks, and musicals, and Bible studies, and grad school, and running in the park, and cleaning...and all the things that add up to life. Except that to me they are a never-ending, always surprising, breathless adventure...because I'm sharing them all with him.

Is it any wonder seven years feels like just the beginning?