Happy Ending.....Exciting Start

In 36 days a very long chapter in our lives will come to an end, and a new one will start.

The last 7 1/2 years have been filled with just about every emotion possibly imaginable.  There have been many times I've wanted to throw in the towel; but deep in my heart, I knew that isn't what I wanted.  I am the type to always try to find a positive out of every situation in life, because I firmly believe that there is always a positve, no matter how unpleasant the experience.  I may not find that positive until well after the experience has ended, but if I remind myself that there is good in everything, I never fail to find that positive.

In October of 2004, I made the biggest decision I had ever made for myself; I moved out of my teenage home.  I chose freedom, independance, for the first time ever.  As short lived as it was, I loved every mintue of it.  I was encountered with a new decision to make, just a short few months after I moved out on my own; to move back in with "parents".  My roommate decided to move back home, therefore, I couldn't afford my current living arrangements; but did I want to go back to what I had just finally freed myself from???? 

My husband and I had been dating for about 7-8 months at this time, and we decided to ask his parents about my moving into their home.  With no questions asked, they took me in.  A start of a slightly new chapter.  To this day and always, I am very thankful for their decision, more than they probably know, and more than I probably show.  With time, everyone got adjusted to the new living arrangements, and things were pretty great.  Three years after they took me in, Justin and I got married. A year later, we bought the house from his parents.  And three years after that, we are all still living together.


Do not misunderstand or misinterpret, all four of us love each other very much, but after 7+ years, of living in a small space together, two married couples, from two very different upbringings, can create a very uncomfortable & stressfull environment.  I had always been cautioned about living with a close friend, because it can have a negative effect on the relationship; I feel the same applies with family.  When people reach a certain age, there is a need for being able to live and express one's self in their own way.  When that is very limited or non existant, living can be frustrating.

For myself, I feel as though I do not know what marriage or being a homeowner is truely like.  It's almost like, legally I am these things, but in all reality, I don't have a clue.  That's hard to accept at times.  Just as hard as it is for myself and Justin, I can imagine how difficult it is for his parents as well.  They are living in the house they built, but it is no longer "their home".  I can imagine it would be terribly difficult to adjust to new ways, when your ways have been all you've done, basically your whole life. 

In 36 days, that will all be changing, and not only am I excited for Justin and I, but I am excited for his parents as well.  Justin and I will finally be able to enjoy each other to the fullest.  We will finally have privacy in our home, be able to do things and keep things how we like them, develop our own routines and traditions, finally start the life we committed to 4 years ago.   And his parents will be able to continue their way of life, with out the worry of stepping on our toes, or doing things we may not like, and maybe even become closer to one another, because they really haven't lived a life with just the two of them for 26 years. 

So, in 36 days, two couple's who have sacrificed and endured things for a very long time, will finally get the opportunity to discover new things about each other and life together and apart, and hopefully as time needed to adjust to the new life style for both passes, we can all become closer to one another again.........

I think that is how I've gotten through the last 7+ years( besides the amazing friends and husband that I have).......keeping the almost garunteed possibility of all four of us coming out a lot stronger individually, and becoming much closer as a family.