Yearly Report Card

I always like to start a new year by summing up the last one's highlights and projecting goals/ideas/etc for this fresh one.

2008 was interesting. It was hard. The biggest deal: The wedding, of course. I am a married woman. The big question is: does it really make any difference? The answer: I think so. Not that anything has changed dramatically within our relationship, but I've noticed that outsiders treat us a little differently. It has indisputably validated and solidified our relationship in the eyes of others. All of a sudden, he means something. "My husband and I share a car, so we need to plan a schedule in advance. I'll have to talk to him before I can agree to work late."
"Husband" seems to be this ghostly presence looming over most women. Never seen, but always discussed. But, we are a team. We work a lot differently. I think I really scared some people at work when I called Aaron to come help after none of the volunteers we had lined up showed up for a big event we were hosting.
"He'd really do that?"
Uh, if I ask nicely, I guess.
"But there'll be children here!"
I'll tell him not to wear his coat made of knives? What?
Did that get them on to call their husbands to high-tail it out to help? No, I think there was a game on or something. I like us.

Other things: loss. 2008 was filled with sadness and loss. I officially lost my best friend this time last year. That was equally liberating and difficult. When you are so close to someone, it is really hard to get over something like that. Maybe it's just me.
And Cody. I think my mind is just coming around to the truth of it. For the last couple months, the shock was overpowering. I feel so sorry for my family and what they're going through.

Things to look forward to in 2009:
A better garden, more crafting, new reading goals, more responsibility at work, etc. In 2009, Aaron and I will have known each other for 10 years. I don't even know how that is possible, but here we are...