You are the Sun...Screen of my life

Recently, something has come between Blake and me.

While we once used to cuddle in bed and watch Netflix, he now stays on his side of the bed and I stay on mine.  The computer goes in the middle.

We used to hug and play and tickle each other.  Now we barely touch each other.

We used to sleep up against each other all night, now we arrange the sheets to separate us.

It hurts when we touch, it hurts when we don't touch.

We're both very sunburned. 

I got you, didn't I? 

It's so sad, though, not really being able to touch each other.  

Let me tell you a story about high school that my friends still laugh about:

There was this guy.  And we were about to hug for the first time. The only problem is, neither of us knew what to do with our arms. So we were doing this weird dance-type thing until we finally embraced for like half a second and separated. If I could find a gif that would do the story justice, I would put it here.

That's exactly how Blake and I had to hug last night. 

So, here's the point of this post: sunscreen.  We went to the pool yesterday and forgot our sunscreen. So we planned on only staying out for two hours max.  And then that turned into like four. But we were too lazy to go back inside to get the sunscreen.

That one simple step could have prevented the pain we're going through now, both physically from the fact that we have grilled the outer layer of our bodies, and emotionally from the fact that we can't touch each other without the lovely sensation of an explosion happening on our skin. 

Kind of like how in relationships there are simple little things that we can do to avoid things coming between us. 

It's the little stuff, no? Like sending a text from work saying you love the other person.  Scratching the bug bite on their back they can't reach. Rubbing aloe on their sunburned shoulders. 

Also, let's not be lazy. There were times I got lazy about the laundry or basic cleaning that I could have knocked out in ten minutes. Then Blake would get more stressed out when he got home from work and saw the laundry piles in the room or the lack of dinner ideas.  And while he was always patient with me during those times, I soon realized how much happier I felt when I had those things done before he got home from work. 

And I might be biased because I major in communications, but I feel like communication is the make-or-break in relationships. I've never understood why (or how) people keep secrets from their spouses/SO/special friend of the month. I can't even keep a secret long enough to surprise Blake with his birthday gift.  When one of us has something that's bothering us, we communicate. We talk about it. Things don't have a chance to come between us because when these nasty little spacers start to come around, we kick them back out of the house and continue cuddling on the couch.  We don't let them come in and hang out and multiply until there's a wall of nonsense preventing us from connecting. It's easier to not build a wall than it is to break down a wall!

It's so easy to prevent that burn from coming between you- just get up and get the sunscreen.

To My Husband

Dear Husband,
One year ago today, we went from being fiance and fiancee to being husband and wife. One year ago today, we promised to love each other unconditionally and stand by each other through everything.  A year ago today, you slipped a ring on my finger, and it became my most prized possession (even though I have almost dropped it down the sink drain a few times!)

It's been a crazy ride.  We've survived moves, a year of law school and college, scary medical situations, sicknesses, hangry spells, and putting a cat on a diet.

We don't have kids yet, and we won't for a while.  But I know already that you are going to be such an amazing father.  I can see it in the way you treat me when I'm sick or scared or just frustrated.  I can see it in the way you have such a selfless love for others, not just me.  I can even see it in the way you treat the cat with tenderness, even when she gives you sass and tries to bite your hand.

This year with you has been amazing.  Learning and growing with you this past year has been the most rewarding, amazing thing I've ever done.

You give me a reason to laugh and smile every day. And I know sometimes that is not an easy thing to do.

I know we've had some challenges. I know we've gone through some things that shouldn't have happened to us. We've had scary people come into our lives, and I can't thank you enough for protecting me and comforting me through it all.

One year ago, I said "I do" to being with you, my best friend, for the rest of my life. This year has shown me that even though that was a big jump for both of us to make, it was the right decision. A year ago, I decided to put our slightly troubled dating life behind us and start a new life.

So, my dear husband, thank you. Thank you for such an amazing year. Thank you for telling me bedtime stories when I can't fall asleep.  Thank you for rubbing my back almost every single night. Thank you for goofing off with me, tickling my neck, and holding me, both physically and emotionally.

I can't imagine life without you, and I'm so excited to see where we go in the next year, and the 600 years after that.

I love you with all of my all,

Your Wife