First year

They say your first year of law school is the hardest.

They say your first year of marriage is the hardest.

Wedding

 Honeymoon

 Officially married!

I have almost officially finished both!  Our first year anniversary will be July 31, and my first year of law school ended in may.  It has been trying.  It is hard to be jobless and not have any income after supporting yourself for 10 years.  I am very fortunate to have a loving and supportive husband.  It is hard to spend your first year of marriage in a library, with a study group, or basically back in a high school experience (except everyone can drink, thank goodness).  The truth is, though, I wouldn't be where I am if it weren't for Joe.  He helped me gain the confidence to take the LSAT, he listened to me babble about intentional torts, second degree murder, and the rules for interrogatories.  He cooked dinners for my late night study group and dealt with my breakdowns of "I'm too stupid for law school!" 

I am also fortunate to have some of the best, most supportive friends/family ever:

The girls of my family (and Vaughn in Nicole's belly!)

 Best Friends!

People always say "marriage is work."  Sure it is.  You learn that your spouse leaves their shoes/clothes/books all over the house (me). That your spouse will ALWAYS have clothes in the dryer (him).  There are compromises to be made and fights to be had.  I don't consider it work, though.  I never considered it "hard."  I think my marriage is fairly easy.  I think some people get so involved in "working" on their marriage that they forget to just live.  You can't say "nothing" when it's something, you can't say "sorry" if you aren't and you can't say "it's okay" when it is not.  People try too hard to "not fight" that they hold on to things. So, sure it can be work, but it shouldn't be hard work.

I'm so ready for year 2, bring it on!