Year Four

Today, Cinco de Mayo, Jon and I celebrate the anniversary of our fourth year of marriage. Although we started dating 10 years ago, the years since our wedding have absolutely flown by and have been the most thrilling and amazing time of my life. I'm sure part of the blissfulness is due to our incredible opportunity to live in Europe for the past four years. Our first home together was our apartment in Wiesbaden, Germany. And although our official honeymoon was in Croatia, we've experienced countless trips together extending our honeymoon to our new home in Sittard, the Netherlands. We've been fortunate to travel to 16 countries together as husband and wife, each one a grand adventure.

As is tradition on our anniversary, we watched our wedding video, which captured the most beautiful, meaningful and incredible event imaginable. Each year the video brings me to tears as I listen to the heartfelt speeches and as we read our vows, but also from laughter at the hysterical dancing and video toasts. Of our four anniversaries, we've only shared two together on the actual date, and this year we are apart again. Perhaps for this reason I feel compelled to write about this special day in the Jon and Cat saga.

I remember the exact moment when Jon received his assignment for Germany. We were in West Texas in the David Mountains at Bloys Camp Meeting and he received a call on his cell phone. He told me the news and I immediately wrapped my arms around him and whispered in his ear... "don't leave me." It was no secret to my friends and family that it has been a life-long dream to live in Europe after my travels and study abroad time there. After learning Jon would be moving there, I knew it was destiny for me to go to. Plus, although we had mastered the long-distance relationship, a transcontinental relationship was a whole other challenge I wasn't sure I was up for. One month later, he proposed while we were riding horse-back on my family's ranch. It was so incredibly romantic and 8 months later we married there. Two weeks later we were living in Europe for what we thought would be 2 years, and yet four years later we're still here.

Living in Europe isn't always pure honeymoon delight, as many may think. Yes, we are able to travel to another country at the drop of a hat and take part in the many festivals and events that are unique to Europe, but there are many things we miss. Such as our families and friends and all those life events we constantly feel we miss out on. In many ways I feel this has allowed Jon and I to gain an intense closeness as we have become our own family unit, each other's travel partner, confidante and best friend. I have enjoyed every minute of this marriage with the most fun and positive man alive. Although I love the life we have now, I know I would love it just as much if we were living in middle America or anywhere else in the world. As long as we are together, our life will be full of love, happiness and plenty of adventures along the way. Happy Anniversary, Juan!