Tyval & I are coming up on 5 years of wedded bliss, so I'm basically a marriage expert.

I always fantasized about my perfect marriage when I was growing up. & I think I have a pretty damn good one, but let's be real... Are we ever really ready to be annoyed by one person consistently for the rest of our lives??

My marriage is the greatest blessing in my life. It's led to so many other gifts, like my children, my home, my life. My husband spoils me, he truly is amazing. There are a few unexpecteds though, when it comes to married life. Here are just a few of the things I wish I would have asked myself before making the best decision of my life.

1) Have you mastered a demonstration for how to properly fold laundry so that you can demonstrate correct method because "YOU'RE NOT FOLDING IT RIGHT!"? This one - don't really worry about it if you don't have it locked & loaded yet. You'll get plenty of practice.

2) Have you picked a few restaurants you know you definitely DON'T want to eat at? This one's subject to change though, based on suggestions given to you at the time. Again, don't really worry about it.

3) Can you tune out someone else constantly singing the wrong lyrics to almost every song ever? My favorite is actually when they just sing "mehhhehh yeaaas trooooooodoooodaaa ahhhhhuuhhhh" to the tune/melody of the song.

4) Are you loud enough to yell from one floor/level of a house to another? I'm not saying that you aren't worth the extra steps, honey. But... yeah, you aren't worth the extra steps.

5) Are you willing to wave your white flag after most arguments over who cleans the most, does the most laundry, cleans more toilets, etc? I mean, it's not like we're going to get divorced over a messy house anyways, amirite??

See? I'm about as expert as they come. In all realness, I do know that marriage takes a great deal of grace, forgiveness, & a willingness to laugh & be laughed at. Happy 5 year anniversary, Tyval. You make life pretty great.