Couldn't be happier.

On March 8, 2003, Josh and I were married in a little church in Greene, New York. At the time, we were living a few hours north in a chilly apartment on the Schroon River. I was in pseudo-nursing school, where I was taking support classes but not feeling like I was moving very far forward. We desperately wanted a dog and were not allowed to have one. We dreamed of the day when we owned our own place and could paint it the colors we wanted and could have as many pets as we chose. We were happy newlyweds, but life was moving forward very slowly.

We made the difficult decision to move south to Josh's hometown where the majority of his family lives. We found ourselves another chilly apartment that did not allow pets, and settled in. I was in "for real" nursing school at this point, and on the edge of a nervous breakdown with the stress of transferring and going back to a nursing program and getting used to a new area. We continued to dream of the day when we could have our own house and make it a home. Still happy, we grew very weary of the waiting and began looking for a house.

We were absolutely baffled by the cost of closing on a reasonably-priced house, and our search for a home was put on hold more than once. As my graduation from nursing school drew near, we eagerly anticipated nights free from study and the addition of a second income. My study groups ate into our evenings at home and I promised Josh more than once that his wife would "return" after December 22.

December 22 came and went, and I took a job at the local hospital in January. It's now nearly March 8 again. Three years ago, we were married in a little church in Greene. Today that church is our church home. We're homeowners and dogowners and we couldn't ask for more. I find myself cooking and baking more often in a kitchen that is about four times the size of the one in our old apartment. I enjoy the little home repairs that I can handle. I spent my day off today painting the floor in our basement, and I can't imagine something that would have been more satisfying. We're planning to spend our anniversary day painting our master bedroom, and I can't think of anything I'd rather do.

I am lucky to be married to a man who is my best friend. I am humbled by his patience and the sincerity of his love for me. Three years ago, I knew that I loved Josh. Today I realize that that was just the beginning. It has been an eventful three years, but I can honestly say that at this point there is nothing I want that I don't have right in front of me.

Couldn't be happier.