Our Anniversary

I know that some people thought we would not last 5 years. Yesterday we celebrated our 9 year wedding anniversary. The first 7 1/2 years were the roughest years of my (our) lives. Kevin stayed drunk pretty much all the time. And I was crazy mad about that.

Now is different. Kevin has been sober for over 1 1/2 now. Things are not perfect; they never are. But compared to the way things used to be, they are nearly perfect. This is the way that I always thought married life should be like.

Kevin is an active member in the AA program. Working the steps, using his sponsor. I am a very grateful member of the Al-Anon program. (My life would NOT be the same without it.) Also, working the steps, using my sponsor. I love her. None of this has ever been a secret for either of us. We make our meetings our priority. We can't stay sane/sober without these programs. Sometimes, they even come before each other. That is the way it HAS to be in order for us to keep this new life.

So....
Yesterday before we left for our date (Thank you, Kerri.), Kevin kept asking what I wanted to do. I was just fine with dinner and ________. You fill in the blank. He started talking about a movie. He received 2 free passes to a theater far away. No thanks, besides he wanted to see a manly manly movie. About 30 minutes before we leave, he says, "we should get matching tattoos. Hearts with our initials." Gee, I dunno that's FOREVER. Kevin reassures me that now that he is sober there is no doubt about being together forever. True, I agree.

Thinking about this for a moment. I suggested that we get the AA/Al-Anon symbols for tats. We were going to get them on his left arm, my right so that when we held hands AA and Al-Anon would be together again.

We did it. Except mine is on the ankle. Did not know if that would be appropriate to have a tat on my wrist as an educator. "Hidden" is one thing.

So, now I am BRANDED.