This time of year holds two important anniversaries for me. First, and most importantly, the anniversary of my wedding day. I am blown away that the 3rd of June marks our 9th year of marriage, and our tenth year of knowing one another. Nine years ago I was finishing up my Literature degree and moving back to WY to marry my best friend. Such a happy and sad time. I hated leaving the life I had built in Nebraska, but I loved coming home. Kyle and I are going to go on a sunrise hot air balloon ride this coming weekend in Boulder, CO. I am so excited! And I hope we live through it so we can celebrate #10 next year. :)
The other anniversary is not so happy, but still gives me good reason to reflect on how far I've come. Two years ago I was in a hospital with severe memory and cognitive issues. I didn't know why I was there. I was scared and confused. I lost my independence in many ways. I was at a very low point, and didn't see my future or any potential for it. My identity was shattered, and I became a different person in many ways.
Fast forward two years. I just finished the second quarter of my graduate program for counseling. While I already have a Masters, it's much more gratifying this time around than the first time. That is mostly because I am having to work much harder for it. But it's worth it! Most significantly, I made the trip this past week to my first Residency, and I went all by myself. I was so intimidated about the travel involved and the interaction this Residency would require. I did myself proud, though. I reached out to people. I emerged from my introverted shell to interact. I got from WY to GA and back with no mishaps (although when the Southwest airline said "Welcome to Mexico" accidentally upon our landing, I must admit I had a few moments of panic. Fortunately, they were just tired and confused, not me!) I forced myself to explore a little bit of the city instead of holing up in my hotel. I just kept telling myself, "I'm here, now I might as well take advantage of this opportunity. And if I screw up, I get to go back home and no one will ever know it happened!" I think I did all right, though.
I loved being in a new place and in the South. I'd never been down there before. I loved hearing the languages, seeing new sites, and visiting with people from all over the world. I loved the Coca-Cola. I loved the excitement and passion of others in my Counseling program. I did not especially love the humidity, nor did I have any idea what approximately half of the menu items were most of the time. Google and I spent a great deal of time together trying to figure out what in Sam Hill I was eating. They know how to make a mean dumpling down there, though! I also started picking up the drawl, and I now say I am "fahn" instead of "fine". Luckily I still had "ya'll" in my vocabulary from when I spent six weeks in Texas a few years ago, so I was somewhat prepared to talk their language.
It was a wonderful experience and gave me a much needed boost at a critical time. I continue to surprise myself, and that is part of the excitement of being alive. I made new friends and pushed my own boundaries. I realized that I'm just as strong (and maybe even stronger!) than I was "before" the hellish year of 2013. I realized how much I love sharing my life experiences with Kyle not because I can't do it without him, but because it makes it so much better to have someone to share the ride with.
