This past Friday morning we headed out to a park close to our house. It is the same park where a little over two years ago we took our engagement pictures. Same place, same time of year, new family.

Two years ago we were just starting to plan our wedding. Everything and everyone was consumed with wedding talk. Colors, flowers, dresses, and stationary. Two years ago we were both still in school. Two years ago I still went to sleep in my parents house every night and would silently wish my brother a good night through the wall. Two years ago my darling baby Belle was just a dream. Two years ago we were just babies and were excited and nervous about starting this next chapter of our lives.

And today this is us. The three of us. We’re a little older. We’re out of school. The wedding came and went and its gorgeous memories grace our minds and photo albums. So much has changed. Belle is a reality. The next chapter started and is going full force. Sometimes it’s scary, sometimes it’s funny, sometimes it’s sad, and yet it’s always lovely. Lovely because it’s ours. This little life is all ours.

We love with every fiber of our being. We might not have much. Our house might be smaller than my parents living room. The car dashboard may be permanently lit up like a Christmas tree. We may put off checking the mail so as to avoid bills. I may have to make homemade pizza way more often than I would like in lieu of going out. We may not afford lavish gifts this Christmas. But in all of this we love.

You learn to laugh when you can hear the tv in every room of the house.

You learn to fix what you need in the car and hope for the best.

You learn to suck it up and open that damn mail box and then rip open the envelopes.

You learn to get creative with the pizza and before you know it it’s a classic!

You learn to make gifts memorable and special not necessarily expensive.

And you learn that through it all the most important thing is that kiss good night and sleepy “I love you.”