We celebrated on Saturday with others. The new-to-us home was finally presentable, evidence of Sam’s hard work and love of all things project-related.

I am grateful for friends and family who joined us on a beautiful day.

I am grateful for a flood of happy memories to cover the sad and not-so-happy.

I am grateful for surprise gnomes that keep showing up to make me smile and appreciate friendship and love.

I am grateful we have an annual tradition.

I am grateful Sam cares as much as I do about acknowledging the blessings.

I am grateful for 2021 and a return to semi-normal.

I am grateful for fresh flowers, I love them so much.

I am grateful to have the extra blessing of his medical miracle this year.

I am grateful for my homes, both of them.

I am grateful for the best friend who comes and takes charge so I can be less stressed and not worry about the food.

I am grateful to have had my sister, my nephew, my Dad, and my stepdaughter here this year. They were at our very first which happened to be our wedding, and now at our ninth annual, too.

I am grateful for Mom. Her 90th birthday was yesterday, and I don’t know if there are parties in Heaven, but I had a quiet party for her internally. She has missed all these celebrations the last nine times, but I like to think she was in attendance and grinning big with tears in her eyes.

Tokens of congratulations are on the table, waiting to open on this day to acknowledge official number eight. Tonight we celebrate, just the two of us.

I am grateful for God’s mercy and grace on our lives, individually and together.

I am grateful for a husband who prays with me and for me.

I am grateful that I am told how much I am loved and appreciated.

I am grateful for a partner who cares about my family, cares about being a family.

I am grateful for so much. A lot has happened since we began to write this story, and I am grateful Sam enjoys looking back at all we have experienced over the years. Dinner conversation will be all about reflection…

Today, I am grateful for us.