growing

We've been getting a lot of compliments lately about our marriage.

Living in Salem has been interesting because it's my hometown, and many of my friends are here. So, we have ended up spending a lot of time with my friends, mostly single girls.

A lot of our single friends have told us that they really enjoy hanging out with us because we never make them feel like a "3rd wheel." And my friends tell me repeatedly how much they love Michael and really respect our relationship and marriage: how we treat each other, how we act around others, our views on money and on life.

Michael and I have also been noticing that this year has been really good for us. We have grown a lot. The other day we played tennis. I am terrible at tennis, having never played it in high school. I used to be really stubborn and would always get frustrated when we would play because I wouldn't want to admit that I wasn't really getting it and that I needed help. But, the other day we went to play and Michael made the comment that it feels like we've really grown in our patience because I was more more receptive to him helping me and to just playing in general.

It's been a wonderful and quick year here in Salem.