I’ve been getting this question a lot lately.
My go-to answer is: “Fabulous! I have the greatest husband in the world!”
For many of my girlfriends, their answers were, “About the same as it was before!” Many of our friends were cohabitating long before their nuptials. They simply took two weeks off, got married, and then returned to life as it was before… sporting some new rings.
I suppose my honest-to-God answer to the above question is: “Life is great – and very different.”
BIG LIFE CHANGE #1: COHABITATION
I’ve learned many things about cohabitating in the past few months. Now that the wedding is over and I don’t have planning to distract me, I can actually look around and focus on life… the many nuances of living with someone day in and day out. There are good things and bad things.
Pro: A dining partner every night. Companionship, swapping stories of the day, and compliments on my “progressive” cooking. Sometimes we even eat at the dining room table!
Con: Cereal is no longer an acceptable dinner. (…even if we’re eating in the living room while watching House.)
I can now see why many people say you should never marry someone until you’ve lived with him/her. Still… I’m glad we waited to do so. I’ve now experienced the enormous amount of trust it takes to completely share your life with someone. All of it. I couldn’t imagine doing all that “sharing” without the vows. Neither one of us can run now 
BIG LIFE CHANGE #2: UNEMPLOYMENT
For the first time in more than a decade, I don’t have a job. I can get up in the morning and do whatever the heck I want. Sounds great, right? Well, it has been… in a word… humbling. While I have many things to do everyday, I do miss going to work. I miss having co-workers. Do I miss TV? (Another frequent question.) While it depends on the day, I still think it’s too early to tell. For now, I’m forging ahead with the help of my wonderfully supportive hubby and putting myself out there. I hope to have a happy update in the near future.
BIG LIFE CHANGE #3: CITY LIFE
While I’m from Philadelphia, I grew up in the ‘burbs. Now I’m a city gal, and I really am loving it! I love being able to walk to so many places, and when I do need a break from the hustle and bustle… my parents’ house… and yard… are just a short drive away.
BIG LIFE CHANGE #4: WE ARE DOG OWNERS!
Two weeks ago, we brought home this little lady:
Meet Pepper!
Pepper is a two-year-old greyhound who was racing at a track in Florida just a few months ago. She was “retired” and brought up to the National Greyhound Adoption Program in Northeast Philadelphia this spring, and now she has stolen our hearts… and our couch.
She sleeps in this curious position sometimes. (See that large, unused dog bed in the background? SUPER glad we bought THAT.)
She is the best dog EVER, and you will be hearing much more about our adventures in future entries.
BIG LIFE CHANGE #5: MARRIAGE
Clearly, I saved the best for last. Our first month of marriage hasn’t been all rainbows and butterflies, but it has been filled with love, understanding and communication. We are learning more and more about each other every day. We are talking about goals, large and small. From “What should we have for dinner?” to “When should we have kids?” we are embracing our future without hesitation.
Even if those respective answers are “Grilled cheese!” and “Let’s see if we don’t kill the dog first.”
