5 Things I Learned in My First Year of Marriage

What God has joined together, let not man separate. {Matthew 19:6} 

This post is very special for me to write since last week we celebrated our First Anniversary. One thing I have to say right off the bat - it is not going to be a generic post about all the must-do's or these broad and vague pieces of advice on marriage. This is my genuine and personal experience I would like to share with you.

1. Love grows.

You think/know/feel you love that special someone. That's beautiful! What absolutely has blown my mind about my husband and myself in our first year of being married is that love has grown, grows and it keeps on growing. Your heart just explodes with love for your significant other, and when you think you couldn't possibly love them more, you break that self-set "limit" over and over again.

2. His character.

Dating is exciting! All those butterflies fluttering away in your stomach as you get ready in front of the mirror trying on one outfit after another. Sweaty palms when you see him and talk to him. Late nights chatting away wishing sunshine doesn't break it off and you wouldn't have to think about having to go, getting ready for school/work and storing those butterflies for later. Well, it gets better! When you marry the love of your life, you get so much more than flutters, you get to know (really get to know!) your best friend. I have learned million amazing things about my husband after we got married. Not just the things he told me but things he is constantly showing and proving with his behaviour. I am truly blessed.

3. I can cook!

Any of my friends or family would tell you that I have always claimed that number one thing I am terrible at is *drumroll* cooking. I never cooked (well, very seldom). I never enjoyed making food or trying out new recipes, let alone spent more than 10 minutes in my kitchen. However, I made a groundbreaking discovery after I got married - I can make edible meals (honestly, they taste great!) and, what is even better, my husband really loves my cooking! I will sum it up like this: imagine a man walking on the moon - yes, that equivalent of an achievement. 

4. Marriage is an empty box (which you fill together).

I think the author of that statement is Unknown. Though I completely support the meaning behind it and I have understood it from my own experience. A lot of people believe (including some of my dear friends) that when they get married, they will get and find everything they've been looking for, all nice and ready for them to take out of this gorgeous imaginary box a marriage represents: love, friendship, understanding, comfort, future... list goes on. Nevertheless, you start off with an empty box which you and your spouse fill together - with love, friendship, understanding, comfort, future and anything else you put into it. Building the relationship together and investing all of you into it, will provide you with the "box" full of beautiful things.

5. I am having the most fun I've ever had in my entire life.

If you asked a 16-year old me what I thought about marriage/married couples, I would probably tell you that they are sitting on the sofa wearing sweatpants and being bored out of their minds. Haha silly teenage me! I have traveled to numerous corners of the world, been to the most amazing parties, spent the best-time-ever with my friends and family... had the time of my life, as someone could say. All of that - pre-marriage. And then... you get married and it hits you - WOW, all of that before was awesome, but NOW I am having the best time of my life! :) I honestly have never had so much fun as I am having being my husband's wife. We travel the world together (sharing those feelings can't compare to anything else), we have I've-laughed-too-much sore tummies when we hang out with friends and we enjoy each other's company more than anything. I thought I smiled a lot before :)

There are definitely over 100 more things (more like thousand) I could mention in this post but that could come up to a book :) All I want to say is marry someone you know you can't wait to fill that "box" with. Be strong together, grow in love together and have fun together. 

I have found the one whom my soul loves. {Song of Solomon 3:4} 

Thank you so much for reading this personal little post about my own experience. It is a special one for me. I loved sharing it with you. Leave a comment about what your marriage has taught you or what you hope it will, once you get married, or simply share a little kind thought.