Five years ago today, I married my best friend 

The day was warm and turned out beautifully. I was so excited to be getting married, seeing years of hopes and dreams come true.

Three years ago, we celebrated by taking a couple of days in Galveston, Texas. We had so much fun and just celebrated a year that had its ups and downs, but had been so good.

Two years ago we did a low-key date on our anniversary. Not only did my sister get married on the 9th, and we were tired from that, but there were some emotionally heavy things looming. It hadn't been an easy year. We had another pregnancy loss and a battery of tests. We knew the next season would be a challenge because of things going on outside of us.

One year ago, we had been on a roller coaster throughout the year. The Januray-Mid March was exhausting and emotional. Mid-March, I got a positive pregnancy test for the fourth time in our marriage; we were excited and scared. I started in on daily shots and followed the guidelines my OB set out.

And then I started bleeding

And then we found out our baby had a heartbeat.

And then I was bleeding again

And then we heard our baby's heartbeat.

And then I was bleeding yet again,

And our baby was still fine

Things settled down, and then a plummet as some things with a family situation weren't going well.

Another exhilarating high of finding out we were having a girl.

Another dramatic drop as I dealt with extreme insomnia. I didn't know you could go that long without sleeping and still function. I really would have been happy not having that knowledge.

We celebrated another year as we settled into another calmer moment, anticipating the birth of our little girl.