By Jo My Gosh

In just 2 days (ahhh!) we’ll be celebrating our first wedding anniversary! So much has happened this year– a PCS, major changes in my (un- and re-) employment, C school, totaled cars, new cars, new apartments! It seems both like we said, “I do,” much longer than a year ago… and at the same time, it seems like yesterday. I’ve done a little thinking and reflecting (just like I did at the 6-month mark), and here’s what I’ve learned about this first year of our journey together:

I am NOT married to the military.

It’s a common refrain– one that I see repeated over Pinterest and Facebook. I understand the sentiment, but it can make you feel much more powerless in a military relationship. The military might make life a little more difficult, but I’m married to John. (And thank goodness, too. John’s way more fun to kiss and dance with.)

Celebrate everything.

John used to tease me about my need to celebrate small things (now he wholeheartedly joins me in those celebrations). We’ve celebrated the end of the semesters, our monthly wedding anniversary… It makes life more interesting… and happier, too. Don’t stop celebrating milestones and exciting moments just because you’re married. (I mean, really– what is that?! Being married should be more fun, not less.)

And, since we don’t know what the military might bring in the next year, I’d rather celebrate more than less!