Married Life

I have been married for 16 days. 

I have realized that I have so much to learn about marriage. I read books, magazine articles, blogs, and took advice from friends, relatives, acquaintances, and absolute strangers. And while all of it most of it was helpful to some extent, I am quickly realizing that marriage is something that must be consistently (and conscientiously) worked on every day. Here are some things I've noted:

1. The distinction between things I want to do and things I need to do has become so much clearer. I want to set up a scrapbooking area in the guest bedroom, but I need to do laundry so we both have clean towels tomorrow. Argh.

2. Cooking for one is an art; cooking for two is a challenge. I know exactly what I like and when I'm hungry, but because I'm not psychic, this doesn't work on my husband. I have to guess, which means I'm going to get it wrong more often than not. And I have to be willing to be wrong.

3. Budgets are intimidating and overwhelming, but they must be tackled with the concerted effort of both parties. If I want to take a vacation in the next year, or if my husband wants to consider another vehicle, we have to know where that money will come from.

4. Wedding gifts are amazing. We can probably live off of gift card purchases for the next three months, and I now get to try out a rice cooker, Belgian waffle maker, melon baller, and George Foreman grill....though hopefully not for the same meal.

5. Unconditional love is one of the most powerful incentives on earth. It can make even the hardest of challenges seem possible, and the worst of times seem surmountable.