Almost eleven years ago, Eric and I stood face-to-face and promised to be there for each other in sickness and in health. It seemed so romantic at the time. It also seemed distant. “Someday... far in the future... when one of us gets sick.” Though I cannot know what Eric was thinking upon hearing those words, I am pretty sure I was picturing a hospital bed fifty years down the road. Sickness comes in many forms and when we marry, we are vowing to be faithful to our chosen one in times of health and vibrancy and times of sickness when we cannot give as much as we would like. Eric was … [Read more...]

We can all remember a time when we were cranky or out of sorts, when inclement weather canceled our plans, when lack of sleep caught up with us, or when our college basketball team lost the NCAA Championship in the last few seconds of the game (I still love my Tarheels!). No one makes it to the finish line without a few internal or external temper tantrums in the rearview. What triggers your inner, tantrum-prone, three-year-old? Personally, I do not do well traveling, when I am tired, or when I believe someone is angry with me unjustly. These situations trigger some of the worst versions of … [Read more...]

Happy 6th Birthday, Ramsey Girl! I cannot believe our rambunctious, smiling, fluffy, golden baby is six-years-old. It seems like yesterday we sat in a room filled with your brothers and sisters in complete golden retriever heaven. I knew I liked the puppy in the blue polka dot collar the best. Love at first sight. Ever since I fell in love with Comet from Full House, I have wanted a golden retriever. After Eric and I got married, the desire grew and grew. I imagined cuddling with my puppy – playing with my puppy – cuteness overload. Sure, she would need to be trained... and we would … [Read more...]

“Heather, you will probably marry someone like your dad.” No greater lie was ever spoken about me. Eric and Dad are my two favorite men in all the world, but they share very few traits in common: they love God, they love me, they speak English, and they both have a driver’s license. Now, to name their differences would take much longer, so I will spare you that exhaustive list. Though they are completely different, they both possess qualities I admire and I am thankful for the balance. Daddy is the teddy bear who is not a big hugger, and Eric is the field marshal who cannot get enough … [Read more...]