Today is Steve's and my 6 year wedding anniversary. Wow! 6 years. When we got married it was very unknown if we would even get 6 years. ALS and the stress it brings definitely tried to stop us from making it through these 6 years.

The past 6 years I've been through more with this man, than I've been through in all my life combined. Even though some days I feel the weight of it a little extra, I'm thankful for it, as I wouldn't be who I am today without this journey.

The further along this journey Steve and I go, the more I see how our union was to not only help share stories of love and overcoming challenges with the world, but also to help make us as individuals meet our highest potential.

Prior to us meeting Steve and I were not exactly on a path towards progress. Following that pull towards each other, trusting it after such a short time and deciding to face difficult circumstances together catapulted us into possibilities we never saw possible for ourselves.

Suddenly we were being shown our capabilities and opening up to pieces of ourselves we were closed off to. Lots of growth doesn't come without fights and challenges that you need to overcome. The trauma you choose to endure going face to face with ALS only makes you a better person going through it. If you know someone in an ALS journey I know you'll agree.

Often times we know (both being intuitive) that people question our choices. They question our love and our life, and sometimes it makes us question it. At the end of the day when it's just Steve and I, we know that our love is beyond just the heart opening growth we get to experience it's about so much more. We together serve a purpose that's so profoundly needed in this world, and remembering that gives us the fuel we need to keep overcoming these challenges.

The beautiful gift this life has brought is the understanding of how in our lives we are all each others mirrors. Showing us where we need growth, where we shine, where the shadow lies, and the light hits. Steve and I mirror our strengths to one another, we mirror the ways in which we are capable of doing anything we set our minds to. We also mirror our mean streaks, our love for calling people names, our addictions, need for control, and our need for attention.

These shadows aren't there to break us apart, although it's really f'ing hard not to let them sometimes. For Steve and I , what I consider the most fortunate with our love and life is that no matter how difficult and dark we've gotten our strength has always persevered. Just like we come out of these hospital visits a little stronger so does our love through facing ourselves in each other. The selves we want to run far away from.

It's a blessing to be able to grow with someone and to be able to watch yourself AND your partner break through old patterns that were leaving us in the shadows and walk into the light together. Our marriage on the outside is an inspiration because we choose to keep battling this journey for our love. On the inside here it inspires me because we have fully faced ourselves, faced one another, and have remained in love. That is what I love about us. If I could add anything to our vows I would add, that I promise to stay with you through the shadows and in the light.

Through shadows and in the light.

When impermanence is your reality - Where Steve's health is today

Self encouragement wins today. <3