What I've learnt: A year of marriage

This week marks our one year wedding anniversary. In the last year I have learnt a lot, even though Brendan and I have been together for 9 years and  I don't felt like being married changed much in daily life for us, it did take some getting used to being called a wife!

1. New identity: The morning we woke up after the wedding I felt different, more grown up, although I was 23. Being a wife bought a new feeling of responsibility. I suddenly felt like i needed to know how to cook better, how to keep the house spotlessly clean and always be perfectly presented. Of course once real life sunk in again none of this happened. There was this instant pride that I was a wife, that i married this amazing guy and that did change part of me.
2. No marriage is perfect: There are days where everything he does will annoy me or we will get into an argument over something as simply as what's for dinner. Just because you got married doesn't mean every problem you had before will magically be fixed. It's the love that you have for each other that makes all of these little moments ok. Arguments and off days are ok, they are normal, no couple will get on 100% all of the time. If you can move past those days and not have them change how you feel about your other half then you will be fine. If we are having a really bad day, I look at my wedding rings and remember how lucky I am to have found an amazing husband
3. Not to keep score: I had this in my vows because I think it is so important.  It's all too easy to keep score of who does what and I found as I get further along in my pregnancy I've been really bad at it. I'll find myself asking him how many times he's done the dishes or put on a load of washing. Really he does a lot around home but it's remembering to appreciate that and not keep a tally of housework. It is also really important to apply this to money. We have started renovations on our first house and it has been a steep learning curve in how to think about our separate incomes as both of our money. Money can easily start fights and in reality it is such a trivial thing to fight about, so it is important early on in any relationship or marriage to agree on how as a couple you will manage your income
4. It really is the little things: I love a new diamond as much as the next girl but truthfully it is the little things in our marriage that make me happiest. Coming home to dishes done and dinner cooked after a long day, him picking up my favourite chocolate while he is at the supermarket or the fact that he had a florist re make my bridal bouquet for our first wedding anniversary. To know that he had put a lot of thought and effort into that meant more to me than any expensive store bought gift. As the mundane parts of life start to filter back into your newly wed bliss, remember that just one small gesture a day can mean so much to your other half. 

It has been a rollercoaster year since we got married with a pregnancy, impending parenthood and buying our first home. With every new challenge and experience we face together, I know that I picked the right man to stand by my side. He is beyond supportive and caring, He is such a beautiful person inside and out and I am beyond blessed to have him in my life.

What are your tips to a happy marriage?