By Cindy Tomlinson.

Today, JD and I are celebrating our five year wedding anniversary. For those of you that don’t know, we took our wedding pictures in an almond orchard here in Bakersfield. I’ve always loved these beautiful white blossoms that only come once a year. I knew if we were going to take anniversary photos, it should be in an almond orchard. I am so thankful we were able to get permission to photograph at an almond orchard this year! These photos really take me back to our wedding day. It’s hard to believe it’s already been five years of marriage.

Each year has been such an adventure, but this year has been the biggest one yet. God blessed us with a perfect little girl. I could not have survived the newborn stage without my sweet husband. JD and I always joke about him loving me more because we say that love is a verb and if you tallied up everything he does for me, you would run out of ink. Right before Jane was born we were talking about what type of parents we would be. JD said “I wonder if I will ever yell at Jane,” and I said “I can’t imagine you will.” This is true because in 5 years of marriage, he has never raised his voice at me. Ever. I can’t even imagine my sweet husband yelling because I’ve never heard it. I know…I have a good one.

Each year we learn more about each other and how to serve one another better. If I could only give one piece of advice to newly married wives, it would be to have grace. Your husband isn’t perfect (shocker I know), and you aren’t perfect either (really, a shocker I know). Two imperfect people learning how to live together will not always go well. Remember to have grace when things aren’t the way you expected. Love even when you don’t feel like it. Remember that love is a verb. So put that love into action and serve your spouse well. Happy five years to my sweet husband, JD.