Look Where We Are

For our whole married life we've been working towards a goal, to get Brad into dental school.  Brad has studied for hours on end, done research for a professor, took so many practice DAT tests he thought he'd explode, did humanitarian work in Nicaragua, and spent way, way too much on applying for a lot of schools, not to mention the expenses of interviewing.  We've lived on a budget and saved what money we could to finance (in a very small part) this venture.  We've moved across the country for this opportunity of Brad attending dental school.  We are paying a ridiculously huge amount of money for him to attend one of the best schools in the nation.  This is not a small undertaking.

Three years to the very day of starting our new life together, we have at least something to show for our commitment to our mutual goal.  This anniversary has been very different from every other anniversary we've had.  There was no special getaways, no evening together, not even going out to dinner as a couple.  Instead, Brad got something else.  Brad received his white coat, a symbol of becoming part of the dental profession.  During the ceremony the dental class recited a professional pledge, a sort of dental Hippocratic oath.  I am so proud of Brad for making it to dental school.  With studying, applying, and interviewing nothing was for sure.  But Brad has made it to dental school.  It feels like we have finally started on the path toward becoming an actual dentist.

These are the other LDS dental students in Brad's class.  In all the other years there are only two.  We are so excited to have so many friends who are doing exactly the same thing!

I've been reading this poem for months, thinking about our life.

Sometimes I get so overwhelmed with life.

And then I try to look into the future and I picture us together,

and no matter what we're still together,

and somehow life doesn't seem so hard,

or so long.

It just feels like the things we do make life hard,

But being together is who we are.  That's our real life.

I think today I was able to see a little bit of that future together and see that this path, the sacrifices, everything we've been doing will be okay in the long run.  This is our life and I'm so glad I get to have this adventure together with Brad.  Happy 3 year anniversary!