My marriage is 9 years old...

Thursday, August 12th marked my wife and I's ninth wedding anniversary.

In my mind, this means I have fooled my wife into thinking I am worth the aggrevation of married life.

In the obligatory reflection on the last nine years, I marvel at how much chaos surrounds our lives. We seem to be in a constant state of anarchy. Moving between towns, between jobs. Bills out the wazoo. Vacations we can't afford. Projects that were doomed to suck our time, our resources and, often, our sanity. Savings are a mystery and relaxation is a myth.

I feel like normal people don't live like this. I think most people have a level of stability that allows them to better absorb life's traumas, that let them sleep better at night and prepare more for the future.

But here is the thing. As tired as I get from our constant battles with reality, and as much as I spend time dreaming of a more level life, I like the chaos. And I found a wife who likes it too. And for that, I am blessed.

I am lucky to have found a partner that grabs life with zest and abandon, that believes whole-heartledly that together we can do anything, and then acts on that belief. I am lucky to never shy away from opportunities, even when the odds are long., especially when the odds are long.

So, here is to another 9 plus years of mischief and mayham. If anything else, it will be entertaining.