It will be three weeks tomorrow that I have had my husband back, and I can't even begin to explain how good it's been. I got to go, with my fabulous mother-in-law to Cape May for his graduation, and it was by far one of the neatest things I have ever seen. I have never been so proud in my life. Watching Riley march in with his company, I couldn't help but get a bit emotional. Riley has accomplished something most people just dream of doing, and he did it well. After the ceremony, we walked around and he showed us a bit of the base, then introduced me to a few of his buddies. All these men had nothing but great things to say about my sweet husband (no surprise there) and I was, and still am, so proud to walk around and hold his hand and say he is mine!
The next day we flew home for three or four days to hang out with the fam before we packed up and headed east. It has been so fun! We live on want is called the Sandy Hook. It is a national park that has private beaches on both sides, and the Coast Guard Station is right at the very tip. Dreamy right? Needless to say I love this place. We live on the base in the cutest little light blue, two bedroom townhome... Plenty of room for visitors! Who's coming?? Everyone on base has been so helpful and our ward is awesome. I love waitin by my kitchen window to see Riley walkin home from work in his uniform to tell me about his latest adventure, or new toy he got to play with.
Last week we celebrated our first anniversary by taking the ferry over to New York City. We had dinner at the bottom of the Empire Stste Building and then walked over to Time Square to play sound for a couple of hours.
I can't believe it's been a year already! I have truly loved every second of it. To be honest, it feels like Riley and I have been "Riley and I" forever. It's almost like he has always been a piece of me and the minute we started dating it was like "Oh right! It's you! What took you so long?"
Anyway, I figured for one one year unwound just share five of my favorite things about this man of mine...
1. Riley is hands down the funniest person I have ever meg. He makes menlaugh every single day. I love that in almost every single on of our candid wedding photos I am cracking up. seriously. He really is that funny.
2. Riley is hard working. I tend to be one of those people that have really great ideas about what I want to do, but I sit back, cross my fingers, and hope it brooked. Not Riley. I remember when Riley first mentioned the Coast Guard. "I have been thinking about it, and I think it's the right thing to do." I rolled my eyes. "okay babe." I said. Ha! Look at us now. Riley works hard to reach his goals. And to help me reach mine. He worked three (count them, three) jobs so that I could finish school without the stress of having to work. I love that I will never have to worry about if my sweet husband will take care of me, and someday our family. What a stud!
3. Riley is a missionary wherever he is. I let people know I am a member of the church, and that I know it's true. But Riley is a true representative of the Savior. For example, at his graduation, one of his shipmates told me that Riley knelt down next to his rack every single night for prayer, and that this bunkmate started to kneel with him. Riley even said the company prayers regulary. How cool is that?
4. Riley knows me better than I know myself. He knows how to make me halt when I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. He knows to bring me a Diet Coke when work isn't going sonwell. he knows how I like my sandwiches. And the best part is he loves me so much that all these stupid little things matter to him!
5. Riley has a way of making everyone around him comfortable. He is a friend to everyone. He is the most non-judgmental, kind person I know, and he would to anything for anyone. I love that about him.
What a year it has been! Our life is about 100% different than we thought it would be a year ago, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
