Saturday, April 4, 2015

When I Realized I was Married

As of today, Shobab and I will have been officially married on paper for 1 year. Since that momentous day, it feels like we’ve been on the fast track of change...moving in together, getting insta-pregs, having our formal wedding, and then of course giving birth to Yaelle. Needless to say, we really haven’t had the time to “settle in”. From my fluctuating hormones, to our differences in domestic habits (him having almost military-like cleanliness and me being much more, well, fraternity-like), it's felt like we’ve squeezed a “normally” progressing relationship's 3-5 years into 12 months. 
4.4.14 @ the Gaskin Family Ranch in Guinda
Going into this whole marriage with Shobab, there has never been a doubt in my mind that I married the right person. From our first date and beyond, it was easy, right, full of love, faith and understanding. Before he met me, he hadn’t thought he would ever meet someone he’d actually want to spend the rest of his life with. I thought that if/when I eventually got married, I’d have to give up on some of the qualities I was looking for in a man and in a relationship (every girl’s infamous “check-list”). Turns out we were both wrong: he eagerly led our relationship into the deep commitment we find ourselves in now, and I got the whole kit and caboodle, my dream guy.
My father married us, his parents signed as the witnesses.
For most of my adolescent and adult life, I heard more about how much work marriage is than anything else. I also come from a family of entrepreneurs. So naturally, my view of marriage seemed more like entering the ground floor of a startup: I'm committing to a vision, with a partner whose decisions I can trust, work well with, while anticipating the responsibly of wearing "multiple hats”.