Beyond the vows

(Image by Fort Mill Photography)

We've only been married for five months and already we're living up to several of the commitments in our vows. One of the most important being "for richer, for poorer." Robert has been working seasonal jobs when given the opportunity and I've been trying to do what I can to build a post-college career. Yet on top of our financial concerns, these last two weeks have tested us on another important part of our vows- "in sickness and in health."

I have a chest/throat infection because of my severe allergies (or at least, that's the latest theory). I've been in and out of the doctor's for the entire two weeks, but when I finally received antibiotics and steroids, my symptoms just got worse. My throat felt more swollen and sore than before and I could barely swallow soup. The fact that my chest was tight and I couldn't breathe well resulted in a few emergency calls to the doctor, and a trip to several pharmacies to get allergy medicine- just in case I was having an allergic reaction to the pills. While I'm still feeling low today, stopping the medications has helped, and I feel like I can breathe a little easier.

Throughout the night Robert was by my side. I usually fall asleep on the couch while he plays video games, but if he wakes me up to go to bed, I get chills and feel faint. So he offered to sleep in the living room with me. When I fell asleep on the small, uncomfortable couch cushions, he fetched my pillows and made sure I slept comfortably. Better yet, he stayed up the entire night to keep watch over my symptoms. I learned this morning he was awake until 7am making sure I wasn't have an allergic reaction.

While our first year has started out rough, we've worked through our trails and become stronger for it. When I've been at my worst, Robert has shown me that he's there to love and support me like any good husband would. Maybe our situation has been rough, but at least I have a husband I can rely on. Someone who takes the words in our vows and lives by them in our marriage. We'll probably experience many other trails and tribulations during our first year, but we have each other, and for that I know we'll be okay.

When the going gets tough, we stick together

Yesterday was a trial and tribulation. I'm certainly not going to complain because the situation could have been so much worse, but I definitely need to share my story.

Robert was driving me to work yesterday because he was going out to job hunt. Such good intentions until we arrived to my job a few minutes early. We turned the car off, he smoked a cigarette, and we just talked until it was time for me to go in. Well, when we went to start the car again guess what. . . I'm sure as you have already imagined, the car wouldn't start.



(my car)

This is the first time anything like that has ever happened to me. My car is still fairly new (three years old) and quite ridiculously I thought I had a little while left until things started dying. Well, someone I work with was kind enough to give the car a jump for us; however, the jump didn't work. Robert, being an ex-mechanic, started investigating to see if it was the starter, the alternator, or just about anything else. Apparently Honda has a protective shield over the starter (underneath the car), so even if it was the starter, there was no way to access it without tools. At this point, poor Robert was at a loss and I had no idea what to say or do being completely clueless about cars.



(Image source: http://www.home-dzine.co.za/Lifestyle/life-jumper-cable.htm)

After much, much begging, Robert finally came inside and in the shade, while I had no choice but to start working. Robert was busy talking to people for advice, calling Honda to schedule a tow truck, meeting with the tower when he arrived, pretty much being my hero while I was stuck at work. Luckily, turns out it was just the battery. Apparently my battery had reached it's shelf life, and because it was so drained, the initial jump wasn't enough. The tech from the tow company was able to start the car, and Robert drove it over to Honda. Finally, four and a half hours later, my car had a new battery, and Robert was able to pick me up from what felt like the longest shift I've ever worked.

It was a long day and I'm a little disheartened because our savings was hit pretty hard. Unfortunately, that will push our moving out date back further. But I will say it was so nice to have Robert at work with me and to know I had someone to depend on when I was so worried. Of course, my mum was there to listen to me too. My mum is always there for me and I'm so lucky to have such a good relationship with her. But what I mean is, I'm so glad someone was physically around when my car didn't start. If my car had died and I was by myself, I know I'd have panicked even more than I already did.

I am so grateful to be living at home too. While I am eager to move out and for us to have our own place, a new battery would never have been in my budget had we have moved out. There's a positive side to everything. Even better, it just goes to show that Robert and I are strong enough to handle lifes little trials together, and that is the best feeling I've ever known. Bring it on world!