We’re heading to our first decade as a married couple. October has become a great month for celebrations among the Miranda Family. Today, the Miranda-Lima couple celebrates nine years of married life. Over 3,000 days, moved 7 times since we got married, having lived in 3 different continents, raising 3 children, 3 languages spoken throughout our house…
If you like multiples of 3, this is the right place! [Just kidding, but, gotta remind everyone: 3 x 3 equals.... Nine!]
It took me a little while to find my “Mr Right“… in fact, I had almost given up trying, when suddenly, he showed up – the perfect balance for my “high-demanding” – “need-to-be-in-control” – “almost-annoying” personality… I felt like he’d been “designed” to be my partner for life. Marriage, for the ones who’re experiencing, is definitely not an easy road. It’s bumpy. It’s curvy. It’s risky. No married life is picture-perfect, but ours is worth every second.
It’s been an amazing journey, filled with love, joy, easy and difficult times, challenges, victories and children – more precisely, three of them. We’ve enjoyed life together: we’ve already accumulated over a decade of Christmases and New Year’s Eves…
Every discussion or argument is a reason for reconciliation. And an opportunity to get to know the other person, a bit more, a bit deeper. One never stops learning. You learn as you go. You learn with your mistakes.
You learn by watching, observing, remaining silent, and by letting your thoughts out… [sometimes, not as nicely as you'd expect to do, but, hey, that's real life, right?].
Nine years ago, we said:
“I Do“…
It was during a beautiful Autumn day in New Mexico, surrounded by close friends and family, gifted by the harmonious mountains in the background, and obviously, greeted by the happy tune of Mariachis… 
Right now, we’re happily living surrounded by volcanic mountains, in ‘breathless La Paz‘, Bolivia, our newest assignment with the foreign service. We’ve lived together and apart; we’ve cried, laughed, we’ve been ‘med-evac-ed’, we’ve been in and out hospitals, we’ve learned from life. We’re growing old together, and we’re very grateful for all we’ve received from life - the good, the bad, the incredible.
Obviously, I’m the Queen of Hearts, here!
Cheers to a loving couple, raising three kids, in this crazy world!
Now, let’s get ready to celebrate the first decade now!
And, where are we right now? For the curious ones, life is simple, it’s normal (??), it’s common… we’re intensely living the ‘real life’: the one you jump from bed get up in the morning screaming and rush to get the kids ready for school, before leaving for work. The life where we’re the ‘lunch bag’ fairy, the ‘grocery fairy‘, the ‘laundry fairy’, the homework helper. We’re being real… and we’re very stressed out thankful! ♥
We’re right here, living the real life! The original two have become five. Life’s still good. Love never fails…
brasileiro? latino? no speak americano?? click!
Photo Project: 52 Bolivian Sundays
good feedback!
island traveler
December 7, 2012 at 1:15 pm
You words and images reflects so much love and happiness. Your story and that of your husband inspires of us that love can be forever. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
3rdCultureChildren
December 7, 2012 at 8:57 pm
Thank you so very much!!! A Merry Christmas and wonderful holiday season to all of us! Thanks for taking the time to share your sweet comment over here!
Naomi Baltuck
October 20, 2012 at 3:46 pm
Congratulations!
3rdCultureChildren
October 20, 2012 at 8:26 pm
Thank you, Naomi!
Imelda
October 18, 2012 at 7:12 pm
Oh, how lovely! Happy anniversary. It is oh-so-true, marriage is a bumpy road, but a lovely one it is.
3rdCultureChildren
October 18, 2012 at 10:57 pm
Thank you, Imelda! Totally agree… bumpy, unexpected… and wonderful! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
Imelda
October 19, 2012 at 12:54 am
You’re welcome.
vintagefrenchchic
October 18, 2012 at 10:35 am
Happy Anniversary! Isn’t it wonderful sharing a life with someone so special, so loved—and who “gets” you? Sounds like the two of you have a balanced and loving relationship. My husband and I are nearing the end of our second decade together…I can’t imagine my life without him. Most days. ; ) (just kidding!)
3rdCultureChildren
October 18, 2012 at 10:43 am
Thank you! And I totally hear you… marriage days are [mostly] great! Thank you for taking the time to come over and share your impressions about life, marriage, love… a good relationship is an ongoing journey… it has no end… it goes beyond time…
Colline
October 18, 2012 at 7:39 am
Congratulations on your anniversary. May there be many more to come.
3rdCultureChildren
October 18, 2012 at 8:36 am
Thank you very much, Coline… life as a couple is hard on itself… challenging… and a challenging lifestyle just adds to the journey… it makes it worthwhile! Thank you for stopping by!
Lucid Gypsy
October 18, 2012 at 3:21 am
Congratulations!
3rdCultureChildren
October 18, 2012 at 8:48 am
Thank you very much, Gilly! Over 3,000 days is a good accomplishment for life as a couple…. not easy, as many of us may vouch for!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your comments!
Becky
October 18, 2012 at 12:42 am
Congrats!
3rdCultureChildren
October 18, 2012 at 8:38 am
Thank you, Becky! Life on the road tends to be challenging… but it’s part of our journey, and we’re embracing it… as a couple… as a family… thank you very much for taking the time to stop by and comment!
malna
October 18, 2012 at 12:34 am
So beautiful! Congrats! So much love and life . Take care of each other and never stop spreading your love and warmth! Xxx malin
3rdCultureChildren
October 18, 2012 at 8:39 am
Thank you so much, darling… it’s great to look back at life and see that we’re on the right track… we’ll keep moving… we’ll keep living… we’ll keep loving, ourselves and each other! Thanks for stopping by!