Our 7th Anniversary and the most generous gift

Today is our golden anniversary. #7 on July 7th. Woot! We jokingly tell each other that the traditional gift of copper has been switched out for our less conventional gift of a petri dish, as we spent our anniversary weekend completing our first cycle of IVF. You gotta laugh when you can :)

The last 7 years have been amazing, full of fun times, big moves, great trips, tons of smiles, a million photos (thanks mom!), and lots of dreams fulfilled. I am so blessed to spend everyday with my best friend. I had no idea when I sat down in 4th period English class my freshman year in high school that I would one day marry the nerdiest boy in the room! I still love my nerd!

I wouldn't change a thing about these last 7 years because, even in the challenges, we've learned and grown together so much and we're stronger through it all. Obviously I wish I could count to 3 and magically a baby would appear. But this is real life, and I'm really grateful that we have each other when real life gets to be too much.

I never imagined what we would have to go through to grow a family. Emotionally, physically, and financially it has been the single greatest challenge in our lives to date, which is why I burst into tears this afternoon when I checked my online bank account. {Real quick recap: Year #7 was the year we had to buy two cars and charge a round of IVF on our credit cards. Not our finest monetary moment. Dave Ramsay's Financial Peace University flunk outs if you will.} I had resolved to making minimum payments and taking out loans for the rest of my life. But then, oh what happened next is nothing short of a miracle! I looked at the balance on the screen and then the tears came because I don't have to do that! My parents had transferred more than half the cost of our whole IVF into our account. The exact amount that we owed. More tears. This is the most generous, selfless gift and I don't know how to say thank you enough. I have no more words, just tears of joy and thankfulness. What an incredible act of love and generosity!

 I am excited for year #8 and all the hope that it brings.