Check-up: 7 Years

Yesterday was Dan and my 7th anniversary. It was incredibly anticlimactic and without much celebration. Dan and I both worked, we exchanged cards and candy, and got some ice cream. We had planned to do an overnight trip to Cape May earlier this summer as a special anniversary treat, but it didn't work out so we need to do a redemption celebration before the fall weather steals away our moment. Mandy gifted us a full day date so we just need to commit to something special.

2020 was rough and in many ways 2021 felt the same way but I'm proud of how Dan and I have worked together as a team to get the family through. I love him so much and I know he loves me. That confidence has been our stability throughout this year.

Today, I'm posting our little relationship check-up which we are doing annually now.

See our previous check-ups here:

6 months
1 year
18 months
2 years
2 1/2 years
3 years
3 1/2 years
4 years 

5 years  

6 years

We always answer the same set of questions but we do it separately and we don't look at previous answers, so similarities are coincidental. 

7 years:

1) What is your favorite memory of the last year?

Dan: Christmas Day at our house with the kids
Steph: celebrating Christmas in our home for the first time

2) What is your favorite part of parenthood so far? 

 

Dan: Watching Kip and Ivy interact with each other, and their little hugs and kisses

Steph: sweet toddler conversations

 

3) Something you weren't expecting about parenthood. 

 

Dan: How much the four year old wants to be a one year old and the one year old wants to be a four year old. 

Steph: How much you'll see the bad parts of yourself reflected in your children and figuring out how to work on that so it doesn't get passed along for generations

4) Something you were pleasantly surprised by about marriage or parenthood.

Dan: How we support each other's parenting decisions. And how during times of intense stress we are still able to be there for each other instead of letting it drive us apart
Steph: How unconditional love and forgiveness abounds

5) Something you learned about your partner after becoming a parent.

Dan: How her confidence as a parent has grown over time especially amid the stress of the pandemic with a newborn
Steph: How his calm presence and patient spirit holds this family together

6) Something to work on as a parent and a partner.

Dan: Boundaries with Kip and being more intentional about planning adventures with Steph
Steph: All around Patience

7) Something to look forward to.

Dan: Making friends with other parents at Kip's school and doing more adventures now that Ivy is walking.
Steph: Watching Kip's introduction to school and being involved in the classroom.

8) Favorite thing about your partner right now.

Dan: Her creativity and willingness to listen to me.

Steph: The depth of his patience for me and the kids. He always has an ear to listen and a heart to help.

This is one of my favorite wedding photo of us and when does one have an occasion to share a wedding photo except on an anniversary???

Happy 7 Years, Dan. I'm proud of the family we've created. Here's to 77x7 more.