it's hard, but better together

(Taken at Gray's Lake in Des Moines, 11/29/2013)

Before I moved to Iowa with Spencer, those in Salt Lake who knew me, advised me to be cautious and warned me of the difficulty taking on medical school, for someone married or like me, would be by stating matter-of-factly: it will be nothing but difficult and lonely for you these next few years.  I'd like to say to that, you were right as much as you were wrong about what to expect during these medical school years.  Yes, medical school is difficult on people.  Students hands down, have it rough.  I applaud you for seeking out your passion as future physicians.  Significant other's of students, I understand you.

Being married to a med student is not really what they tell you it will be like.  No matter how much they warn you, there is nothing that can really prepare you for it.  Sure, it's rough and you may feel like a bachelorette on some nights, if you don't have children - if you do, I'm sure you are feeling like a single parent many days out of the week.  And, yeah, I hate Iowa for the most part; no cafe rio, no mountains, far away from both of our families and, sometimes, all I can think about is the money that we don't have to purchase a plane ticket to fly back home.

However, being with a med student like mine, is also really wonderful.  It's probably different for everyone, I know, but I also know I got lucky with my med student because he is really wonderful.  We are truly lucky to have each other; well, he says that, while I roll my eyes, because, like I would ever be able to hold a cellular biological conversation or help him study immunology or even understand anything to do with OMM.

I know that this part of life is hard but I am lucky because, he knows it is hard for not just him but me too and, he still simply loves me. He has six exams in the next three weeks with half being cumulative and he still makes me dinner and asks about my day.  True love I tell you.  I sure do love this man of mine.  He makes each day wonderful.  Even if I don't see him all day and he has to sneak into bed late, late at night because he was studying, he pulls me in tight for a quick hug to say goodnight.  And I melt for that kind of thing.

So, this year, for Thanksgiving I am especially grateful for Spencer the med student and that I actually got two entire non-study days to be with him.  I am also thankful for learning opportunities, Iowa is a big one.  I am thankful for the love of family and for friends who made this holiday enjoyable.  

    

(Taken in our home, 11/27/2013)