enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

Ep

I loved this post on Summer's blog last week and I thought I'd do something similar.

Stuff we've learned over the past nearly five years of living together. I can't believe it's been five years. I can't believe I graduated college five years ago. Paul can't either. We were recently talking about a song and I said, "that was like seven years ago" and Paul was responded, "no way, I was already in college." "Yeah, babe, so at least seven years ago."

So the first thing we've learned is that time flies.

But also :

It's totally worth it to grind your own coffee beans.

We're morning people.

Elise hates stacks of stuff.

Paul hates anything that will dull the kitchen knives or scratch the pots & pans.

The art of perfect pizza dough.

The art of transferring a pizza from the pizza peel to pizza stone.

Paul is really good at playing "the Devil's Advocate."

Elise hates "the Devil's Advocate."

Political discussions will never end well.

Strong beer for the win.

Red wine > white wine.

Elise can't walk away from a good Blackjack table.

Paul can bet big.

Giving cards on special occasions is a Really Big Deal.

"I'm sorry but…" doesn't count as a real apology.

Paul cannot cut Elise's hair.

Deployments really make you stronger.

Joining the military was absolutely the right decision for us and our future family.

(It look Elise at least three years to believe that one.)

Long work commutes are the worst.

We can be a one car family.

Say what you mean and mean what you say.

Never wait until you're starving to find a place to eat.

We're west coast people.

We do really well as just two.

*photo by Driver Photo.

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26 responses to “what we’ve learned.”

  1. fafuna Avatar

    LOVE, love, love this post!!!! Thanks so much for sharing… now I need to make a list too!! 🙂

    Like

  2. Amanda Avatar

    I love this! It’s a good mix of light and “heavier” stuff. All important though!

    Like

  3. Frankie Avatar

    I love “I’m sorry but…” doesn’t count as an apology. That’s so true! This made me really excited to move in with my boyfriend finally in August(not that I wasn’t already). I can’t wait to have our own list like this!

    Like

  4. Sabine Avatar

    Love your short sentences posts. Cut to the point and so meaningful. 🙂

    Like

  5. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    This is very sweet. The “I’m sorry but” is something that my husband and I both had to ditch when moved in together. We had to learn the art of the single faceted and empathetic apology.

    Like

  6. amie Avatar
    amie

    i love your blog so stinkin much! you have such a positive way about you 🙂 and not in a cheesy, contrived way!
    also, i must know, where is that pink top from?? it’s gorgeous!!

    Like

  7. Ell Avatar
    Ell

    really really great post.

    Like

  8. Nicole Hurley Avatar
    Nicole Hurley

    Oh man do I wish we were neighbors. Unfortunately we can’t be west coast people just yet (until my husband’s job takes us there).

    Like

  9. Kelsey Avatar

    Elise,
    I really like the idea behind this post! It was awesome to read your list — and I can’t wait to sit down and write my own (once I find time!) and do a similar post. Thanks for passing along the inspiration 🙂

    Like

  10. natalie Avatar

    elise, i have been reading your blog for a couple of months now (it is my morning ritual when i get to my office!) & i absolutely love this post. my husband & i have been together for four years now & it is just us two. it is difficult to not get caught up in babies & the future, but you are doing an excellent job! cheers to two! 🙂

    Like

  11. Laura b Avatar

    Oh. That is so sweet. I enjoy the wide variety of topics on your blog! Enjoy just the 2 of you. Babies are great, but so is time for just 2!

    Like

  12. Ang Avatar

    Hi Elise! What kind of coffee grinder do you use?

    Like

  13. shannon b Avatar

    Oh I love this list! What a cool, sweet, endearing retrospection at your life together so far. 🙂

    Like

  14. Sam Avatar

    Much like others I want to do a list as well! I love being inspired by others. Imagine the chain of inspiration if we went back through each linked inspirational post. What an idea! An inspiration tree!

    Like

  15. melissa Avatar

    i love these little posts!

    Like

  16. Megan Anderson Avatar

    This made me laugh! I’m especially with you on the “Never wait until you’re starving to find a place to eat.” one. That’s when 99% of all arguments in my marriage have occured 🙂

    Like

  17. elise blaha Avatar

    Thanks! it is a dress from old navy. 🙂

    Like

  18. Skye Avatar

    Love this! You are so great at reflecting on your life. I need to do that more and put it in my 2012 scrapbook.

    Like

  19. elise blaha Avatar

    Hey! The brand is DeLonghi and I think it came from cratebarrel.

    Like

  20. Carole Avatar
    Carole

    This was fantastic! Marriage is just the best and I love how you and Paul display the teamwork of it. And the joy of it. Real life, day in day out. My curiosity is HIGH re: your political discussions. ARGH! I know this happy blog isn’t the proper forum for those details. 🙂 How two different minds can make it work into one big heart. Love it.

    Like

  21. elise blaha Avatar

    Well, we actually align prrrrrrrretttttty well (and have gotten much more similar over the past few years). There are some battles, but for the most part, I just get frustrated when Paul thinks it is a good idea to take the other side for no good reason just to get me riled up. 😉

    Like

  22. Shirsha Avatar

    Super cute post. 🙂

    Like

  23. Carole Avatar
    Carole

    ha! 🙂 My husband reminds me that life would get awfully boring if we agreed all the time. And a lifetime is a looong time to be bored. Good for Paul for mixing the pot. 🙂

    Like

  24. Amanda Driver Avatar

    I might just have to steal this idea soon, too, Elise! Gorgeous thoughts. It’s so good to marvel at life. XO, A 🙂

    Like

  25. suzanne Avatar

    oh man – “Never wait until you’re starving to find a place to eat.” – never have more true words been spoken! (my hubby and i embarked on a 2-week-long west coast road trip last summer and definitely discovered how true that is 😉

    Like

  26. bri @ In Love & Words Avatar

    I love the idea of this post! It makes me want to get together w/ The Hubs and come up with our own list 🙂

    Like

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