Happy anniversary!

Hubby and I have been married 9 years today. Amazing! It seems like only yesterday we were starry-eyed newlyweds. Well, he was never much of a starry-eyed sort, and I think we are definitely past the newlywed stage. I know I've changed, and I think he might have, too.
Being married to Tim has mellowed me. Really mellowed me. Our friends still say I'm uptight (to my face. Behind my back, or after a few drinks, they call me "anal"). But I have learned to relax since I first got married. Now, I can leave dirty breakfast dishes until lunch. I don't always scrub behind the toilet. I seem to have misplaced my ironing board. If things don't always go according to schedule, I survive, and some days I don't even have a plan!
Tim has taught me the value of quality. Growing up, we ate no-name brand everything. My parents never paid more for something than absolutely necessary. Now, I've learned that it's worth it to pay more for quality, rather than pay to replace cheaper stuff. Sometimes it's good to pay extra simply because it tastes better. Before Tim, I thought marble cheese was the height of sophistication on a cheese platter. Slowly, I'm being sucked into Havarti, Brie, and cheese I can't pronounce.
I don't worry any more about what other people think. Tim has convinced me that my feelings are the most important thing for me to focus on. Not my mother, not my father, and certainly not a group of well meaning church folk. Me. He doesn't always answer the phone. He isn't always polite to nosy strangers. He says "no" to telemarketers and survey takers. All very important lessons that have slowly made an impression on me. I don't have to say yes. I don't have to worry about what "they" will think.
Naturally, not all of the things I've learned from Tim can be seen as positive. I'm addicted to the computer. I laze around the house more. I read on the toilet. All his influence. But...all of this makes me a happier person. He makes me a happier person. I can't imagine, I don't want to imagine, life without him. He makes me complete, and I love him. Happy Anniversery to us!