Dear First Month of Being Married,

You were the best month of my life. Ever. Now I admit that Kevin and I are fond of using superlatives (best boyfriend ever, best day ever, etc.), but there’s no denying the bliss that accompanied the changing of my last name. My husband even compared you to “taking the first bite of a piece of apple crisp.”

On June 24, 2011, God granted our fervent wish and gave us gorgeous weather as we started you surrounded by our closest family and friends pledging our love and faithfulness. I’ll never forget how much I smiled that day. I thought I would be tired after posing for hundreds of pictures, but when it came time for me to walk down that aisle I was beaming.

We didn’t want to travel for our honeymoon. We just wanted to be. Together. Finally. After spending nearly two years apart, seeing each other every day has been a blessing in itself. And living together? Every few days I still catch myself thinking,”I’m going home with Kevin tonight!” Even when he forgets to set the timer on the coffeemaker, he has still replaced the lovely Megan as the Best Roommate Ever.

I tackled the job of stay-at-home trophy wife with unbridled enthusiasm. I’ve certainly struggled with the fact that I’m not earning any of my “own” money, but that’s for another post. I cooked, cleaned, and installed the tradition of Cookie Friday in our household. I suspect the 17-year-old emo girl version of myself would be appalled with the contentment I found in tending to my home and my husband. After all, as Grandma Kreisel would say,”Your husband is your investment. Take good care of him.” Kevin assumed his role as breadwinner, spiritual leader, garbage disposal fixer, and doting husband with style and grace. In fact, if I could tell that 2002 Corrie it would be: “He’s worth waiting for!” 

That’s not to say everything was exactly what I anticipated. I mean, who doesn’t like eating in bed? While living in the DR I fell into the habit of eating dinner while relaxing, writing emails, doing homework, and Facebooking bed. Kevin just doesn’t share my enthusiasm for 10pm jalapeño Sun Chips in bed while reading Oh Happy Day. My husband says his biggest surprise about our marriage has been my lack of mechanical skills. I cannot tell a lie. Friday afternoon I was trying to get the house spic ‘n span before our Chicago trip, and I was having a fit that I couldn’t get the vacuum cleaner to start. To make a long story short: it wasn’t plugged in. In my defense, the cord is one that retracts completely into the machine. And I haven’t vacuumed in years!

When we laugh until we cry, when we give each other little smirks across the room, when he stops for me to take yet another picture for my blog, when we hold hands and I give his bicep little kisses while riding the L, I know we’re living our happily ever after. Month 1, you were a sweet, sweet time, and I can’t wait for Month 1,000 with my husband.

Love,

Corrie Anne Kreisel

P.S. Photo is a preview of our professional wedding photography by Melissa Laska.

July 2011 Highlights:

• Date Night in LaCrosse After Kevin had to go back to work! (BOO!)
• Leon Fleisher Concert Classical music rocks!
• Staycation I & II
• Honeymoon recaps
• Piano Duets with Hannah & Kevin
• Let’s Dance 2 Party with Kelly & Lisa
• Senior Citizen Sunday
• Cookie Fridays: Monster Cookies, Best Big, Fat Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Almond Cookies, and Peanut Butter Snickers Cookies.
• Other favorite recipes: Creamy Taco Mac,  DIY Chipotle Burrito Bowl, Pesto Potato Salad, Mason Jar Meals (from the wedding) , and Healthy Blueberry Muffins.