That's beautiful, and I can only imagine. Thank you for sharing.

i love Jon, too! (does he have a brother?)

Maybe your next book can be about how love works.

You are both amazing people! Thank you for sharing your lives with us!

Love this post Heather! You both are so well-articulated!

The love that you two share gives a hopelessly single gal like myself hope...

Sometimes just listening is the hardest "simple" thing you've ever had to do.

And I feel the same way about my husband (it's our anniversary today). I can't believe I'm lucky enough to still be sharing my life with him.

I love the energy of people in love. Really in love. Through all the crap that you have to constantly wipe off your shoes, you two are doing it right. Thank you for showing us the good, bad and the ugly. It's all lovely.

Not only are you lucky to have each other, you're lucky to both have the ability to express those thoughts to each other so beautifully.

I love reading Jon's blog. It always reminds me how important men are - as partners and fathers - in our lives. His thoughtfulness and overwhelming love come through loud and clear. You're a wonderfully lucky person and so is he. Thanks for sharing all of this.

So great! I really love how you two are going strong. Keep it up!

You just made me cry in my lunch...

In these days of Fireproof, Love Dare, Mars vs Venus, Five Love Languages and other silliness, it just goes to show that when love gets simple it gets great.

Guh!!! A married couple who actually express their love for one another. There is hope. I don't mean for that to sound nihilistic or anything; it's just that it seems so much more common to hear about the shortcomings, the difficulty, the imperfections of a relationship (especially a marriage), and it is really freaking refreshing to hear from the other side. It sort of renews my faith in love and makes me think, okay, neat, I won't have to be an old, lonely cat lady (though I can if I want to). I will find someone (I am only twenty, so I've got a while I guess). And it will be awesome. Epic-ly awesome. Like you guys.

I wish I was having a better day, so I could just be happy for you guys rather than get all angry about not being able to find MY John.

Effing PMS.

What a sweet guy he is, glad he's been so supportive of you and even more happy for your new Marlo!!

This made me bawl like a damn baby and also pose the question - when you have a mental illness, how do you bring it up to someone you're seeing?

It's not like anything else. If you have divorced parents or are an orphan or if someone in your family has a mental illness, it's easier to talk about because it isn't you.

When it's you, how and when is the right time/way to bring it up when you're navigating the beginning of a relationship?

Any thoughts?

I really hope to have, one day, what you and Jon have together. Even the crazy dog.

That has to be the most beautiful post you (and Jon) have ever typed. I teared up, it's true! Ya'll are so lucky to have each other, but I believe it was meant to be that way. We find those people we're meant to share our lives with.

Yep, he's a keeper alright. :D

Crap now I'm crying... That's rather embarrassing at work!

As I wrote on Jon's blog, I'm so happy for y'all. The whole world (or at least those of us that matter :P) has fallen in love with you. Thanks for showing us there are happy endings, even if there are dragons too.

I read the post by Jon and living with someone who lives with depression, excellent. I've been depressed for most of my adult life and my husband has a very difficult time with it. I told him that there is not a day that goes by that I don't work on not being depressed. It's a hard way to live.

Take care of yourself woman.

I am sharing Jon's blog with my husband. I don't often pause long enough to wonder what it must be like to live with me, as I am usually angry at him for not understanding.

Thank you.

Heather, both you and Jon deserve all the love and happiness you have found with each other.Thank you for sharing (much of) your life with us. Blessings.

This was beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.

Sometimes it's just as wonderful to read the things that aren't necessarily funny, to read the things that are lovely.

(But don't stop the funny. I'd die.)

This post brought tears to my eyes right here @ my desk. I'm really glad that you both have found that all encompassing love for one another that knows no bounds. Leta and Marlo are very lucky little girls...growing up surrounded by all that love.

I am a support person for a friend who is Bipolar & Borderline personality. what Jon said basically sums up a support person's role.....just listen. What a lovely marriage and family you have. Many blessings!

You gave me goosebumps! I gushed enough commenting on Jon's post yesterday, but here I am again all sentimental and teary-eyed. And this is worth repeating here: I truly admire the life you and Jon have built. Thank you for sharing it with your legions.

LOVE IT. It always sounds so great to hear a woman say she loves her husband (and vice versa). I hate it when people bash their partners to others.

Great post and great insight on both your parts. Wonderful for you that you feel such deep love for your husband after all you have been through together. And thank HIM for saying "Just listen". Congrats to you both.

I have to say, I'm not married yet, nor do my fiance or I have any depression/mental illnesses. But those posts from Jon were SO encouraging. I liked reading a man's point of view on the work a relationship takes. It makes me realize what I have to do as well, and makes me want to stop and listen more to his needs.

I, too, need to be asked several times if something is wrong before I'll answer, even though it's fairly obvious when it is. Now I know how he feels and what he needs. Thank you Heather, for directing us to those, and to Jon for having the courage to post them!

After going through (barely that is...) severe PPD after our daugther was born and suffering crazy posttraumatic stress syndrome when pregnant the second time around (which ended up in a miscarriage as well) I am amazed my husband was also willing to to try again and can share this feeling of amazing love for him. It takes very special men, right!?!
I hope this third pregnancy works out as well as yours - so far so good; I feel like I got all the crazyness and fear out of my system with the second pregnancy and am so very greatful - sure helps my husband to look more forward to everything too...

You are lucky and wonderful for noting that. You are lucky to have found that man who so perfectly compliments you. Reading this made me think back to my husband and his tremendous strength through all the failed fertility treatments and how when I broke down because I was "broken" he held me and told me that none of that mattered.

It is great to find that one who will put up with your shit, but also knows how to help you out of the shit and doesn't mind that you smell bad when it's all over.

I have a boyfriend who listens and you just made me the most thankful girl in the world.
Thanks for sharing

Awww... That's the sweetest thing I've ever heard...

I have those days. My husband and I have been married for 4 plus years...and it still seems like we just got married.

My husband is in the army and currently deployed to Afghanistan. There are days when all I want to do is stay in bed with the covers pulled up over my head. But I drag myself out of bed because our two year old daughter needs me. When I'm really missing Eric, all I have to do is look at Brooke and I see what the love of two people makes. It's perfect. Even when she's throwing a typical two year old tantrum and all I want to do is overnight her to her grandparents in Minnesota.

I am so thankful to have a husband like mine. Like yours, he has realized that all he needs to do is listen. There are some days where all of my frustrations have built up to the point of a violent explosion, but he knows that if he just lets me rant, rave, and bitch, when I'm done, I'll be fine. I love my husband because he recognizes that being a full time mom is a job in itself. He never expects the house to be spotless, dinner on the table by the time he walks in the door or for me to be little miss suzy homemaker. He does the dishes, he takes out the trash, he washes all of his own clothes and helps me with all of the household chores. He takes care of our family while fighting for this country's freedom. How could have I found a better husband and father for our children?

There are days where all I want to do is kick him in his man parts, but I take a step back, take a deep breath and realize that if I did that, he wouldn't be able to help me make anymore beautiful children. And then he goes and does something wonderful, like bring me flowers or clean out my car. :)

It's hard to find someone so completely compatible with you...so when you find them, hold on for dear life! It looks like we both found our perfect matches.

Oh goodness, that was beautiful, as was Jon's post yesterday. I love that you two can be open, honest, and real for the sake of other couples going through the same thing.

Kudos!!!! (And thanks a lot for making me teary-eyed again at work)

Beautiful posts, by both of you. Reminders (both) that there is so much to appreciate in our partners, kids and lives. Thank you, both of you, for being so honest and open.

Awesome. I am grateful for your honesty in your life experiences Heather (and Jon). Keep on keepin' on.

What a wonderful, insightful husband you have...
you are a very lucky lady...

WAAAAAH!

Heather, I, too, thought Jon's post yesterday was his best ever.
I had read half of yours yesterday then got pulled away and later on read Jon's and then finished yours. Needless to say, I had tears of laughter (twenty-six, bitches!!!!) and tears of admiration and love. What a wonderful tribute to you, you and him, and you, him, Leta and Marlo.
I know you have heard it a millions times if you have heard it once, I am so thankful to have you all be a part of my day. Thank you.

Interesting how the male mind works.

Nice to hear what a husband really thinks about pregnancy...the good, the bad and the ugly.

My now fiance dealt with pretty severe anxiety about 4 months after we started dating. I was a freshman in college. Now, 6 years later, he's mostly fine, but there are still times that are a little iffy. When I see certain patterns, even if they are somewhat normal given the situation, my heart starts racing. I'm so glad things are going well for you guys too ;)

I am so so very envious of your relationship together. You are not only lucky to have it, but you work at it.

Heather-from the first moment I started reading you, I've remarked on the relationship you and Jon have. I think it's brilliant, loving, comforting, challenging (in the sense that you each challenge each other to be better people), trusting, compassionate, passionate...all of the things any good relationship should be.

There are so few examples of healthy relationships in our society today, and so few opportunities to look at couples and say 'you know, they've really figured this whole relationship thing out'. Your relationship is one of those precious few and I am constantly inspired by your love. A lot of our friends look at my husband and I and say that we are the best couple they know--but you and Jon truly are our inspiration. I have never been able to articulate my feelings towards my own husband as clearly as you just have. Very well said.

W O W !
that's a great husband to wife love you moment; This is a beautiful way to scream out to the world how much he loves you.
very blessed and i'm very happy for you.

-->What a nice exchange between the two of you. I don't think I could work from home with my husband. EVER.

Love him, but we need time AWAY from each other.

http://www.WebSavyMom.com

True love is so beautiful, it hurts.

Thank you for sharing tidbits of your life with us. You are both amazing people.

This is really sweet but, I am dying for the other half of the birth story!! I check everyday, I am about to have my second and I desperatly want to know how it was different and what happened. Thanks for sharing you life!

Thank you so much for sharing. I just began counceling for depression. I think I have had all my life, but I'm not really sure. That is something that I'm trying to figure out right now. And just having a baby six months ago and nursing doesnt help with my hormones still a little crazy. I am also married, but my husband has a really difficult time dealing with my depression and anxiety. I think what your husband wrote is so sweet and his devotion to you says so much. Right now I am paying someone to listen to me so that I can feel like a normal person again. And its frustrating. I rather talk to my husband. I'm glad to hear that you both have worked together to make things work for both of you. I liked what someone else commented..."its a great testament to what marriage really is and should be." I believe that too.

It's nice to find that someone that can hold on with you.

Give that boy a great big smooch from everyone on the Internets!

As they say here in Maine, "He's a keepah!"

you two are great. i think deep down single gals are scared out of their minds that they'll never meet someone who can hang for the real times. you two have proven it's possible.

that just gave me another's day worth of hope. good job!

your love is beautiful. thank you for sharing with us.

Jesus fucking christ woman. Every time I get the husband/baby desire under control you write something like this and the invisible hands start to wring my heart and the "I need husbandbaby RIGHT NOW" juice starts to pour out and I have to go read bitchy articles on the frisky for the next three hours.

Egads.

But really, thank you. You and John are inspiring.

Wonderful post, Heather. Made my teeth ache from the sweetness of it (and I mean that in a good way). It's so good to see such love between two people and to see it lasting. And I thank both you and Jon for sharing that part of your lives with us, your Internet audience. I find it amazing how captivated I am by your lives - I'm not a soap opera watcher, but I feel like you all are my own little personal soap that I just have to check in with daily to see how it's all going.

* Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! *
Seriously, gotta show the love to the hubsters. Very sweet.

I read Jon's post yesterday and enjoyed the read. It was nice to see the other side of things....another perspective.

It sounds like the two of you have great energy together!

Oh Heather!

I've been reading your blog (and have laughed out loud for real a whole bunch of times) for quite some time now, but this post got my tears rolling -so I had to comment!

Thank you both for sharing so much of yourselves and the journey of life you're on. It's amazing to watch as you develop and learn and even in the saddest moments, you always keep that glimpse of the hilarious woman that I think most of your followers love.

I've not only laughed and cried but I've also learned from the both of you. I wish you a future filled with exactly what you already have, love, family, laughter, reality and the drive to better yourselves as human beings.

Oh, and I LOVE your daily Chuck (and yes even Coco)!

/Szilvia

That is so awesome. =)

I tend to think I don't want to get married b/c it seems so stifling and I know so many people in not-very-good marriages. Reading that post makes me want to rethink that.

So glad you're doing ok this time around, and yay for Jon. =)

Heather,

I am so happy for you and Jon both. I've always admired the way you two handle your marriage and family and having kids and all the problems that come with those things, and I was also very jealous for a long time because when I first started reading your blog I was divorced. I've dealt with depression for most of my life, and my ex-husband was one of those "just get over it" types who never listened. Since we divorced I found out that a lot of my depression was caused by Grave's disease, which was making my thyroid overactive. When the medicine kicked in for that it was like a miracle, I felt better than I had in literally decades.

But I still deal with depression some, especially lately, and I think a lot of is because my youngest just moved out - empty nest and all that, and I think this depression is a lot like PPD. Why does having children and then letting them go do such horrible things to us? Fortunately I got another miracle a couple of years ago - a man who listens and understands depression and who I love as much as you and Jon love each other. I thought my mom and dad were the last people on earth to have a good marriage, but now I finally have that, and I see that you and Jon do too, and it restores a little of my faith in humanity.

Thank you for sharing your lives with us, you have no idea how immensely helpful it is in so many ways.

Amen! I have similar ups and downs and my relationship with my husband parallels yours. I don't know what I did to deserve him...

Aww mama, that's so great. I know exactly how you feel, because that's how I feel about my husband and my baby's dad (just a few days younger than Marlo!). I'm so glad you get to have that same feeling. Just makes you a better mother, I think.

Welling up. Spilling over.

I read Jon's post and it disgusted me. It was dripping w. hubris and privilige. I know lots of people who read personal blogs and have never read your stupid mommyblog. I even know some people who read mommyblogs and have never read your posts when you were crazy. I read your blog bc it think it's awful. Bully for you - enjoy the revenue from the page view. Jon made Leta seem like heinous bitch. Franly, after reading your blog, I have concluded that she is a heinous bitch. If I had spawn like that, I would make sure I was using BC on the regs. It's great that you have figured out how to beat the system. What about women who suffer from PPD who have to work? Or have husbands who have to work? What about single moms? I'm glad Jon can provide you w. the terrarium like conditions you need so you don't go off the deep end, kill yourself and kill your child. Rad. He's bitching about wearing a dirty tee-shirt to drop off Leta at school. I bet nobody gives a rats ass what he is wearing. What about the mother who suffers from PPD and has to drop off her kid w. a screaming infant in the backseat while her husband goes off to earn an income so he can provide for his family? I bet she ain't wearing Chanel to her kid's school. Wah wah, poor you. It's hard to be empathetic to a family who is so out of touch w. the majority of Americans.

I can't tell you how wonderful it is that the two of you are so grateful for each other. From my own darkness, I wonder how much of it is real? Can two adults really be so understanding and supportive of each other? Can a man really try that hard to listen to his wife? To help her heal? Does it work? I look at the two of you, and I hope.

What a gift for your daughters, to have two parents, so devoted to each other!

You and Jon are so brave and generous sharing your both your highs and lows. It inspires me to become more open.

Awesome, thanks. I echo a lot of what's been said already... how it gives me hope, and makes me happy.

Congrats on finding your match.

Oh my GOd, this is fucking awesome!

So true about the love you feel for a spouse after creating a beautiful family with him!

I hear ya sister.

This is why I love to read your blog, Heather. You say what the rest of us are afraid to say. God bless you!

Heather, Jon sounds so sweet. Every marriage has it's moments and irritations (lol), but you are so blessed. Congratulations on your newest edition. Leta was already four or so when I started following your blog, and I'm excited to get to be involved from the very beginning for Marlo's "Armstrong Adventure".

PS: Does Jon have a brother? If so, please send him to Texas...
:)

Heather, I want your life! It's hard to get around the envy I feel when I read your blog sometimes, but you went through enough shit to deserve this happiness. You are one strong shit-ass-ho-motherfucker, and inspire me to be the same.

Beautiful post! I feel exactly the same way about my husband...We have 2 beautiful, crazy, full of life little girls and have been together for almost 11 years...I never knew if could be so good and that I could be more in love with him then before...

Behind every #26 there is Jon.

This is so sweet. And now I feel like I need to go and thank my husband for all his care and listening while I've been battling demons of my own.

Admissions of love are so uplifting, especially in a country where every other marriage fails. I too am with someone so respectful and supportive and caring and CALLS WHEN HE SAYS HE WILL. Roll your eyes, but it's nice to be able to admit it. And even nicer to know people like him(and Jon) exist in the world.

Thank you.

While it was a raw and loving post, and while it may have moved you more than other things he's written, it's not the best thing he's ever done. Not by a long shot.

I have been reading your blog for some time now and have always found your insight thoughtful and hilarious. You are the type of person every one wants as their friend. But Heather, this post was so refreshing. Blessings on you and your family!

What a wonderful man! It's so nice to see things from the male perspective from time-to-time! I think it helps us stay grounded when things start to spiral.

Thanks for reminding me that there is hope out there for that kind of love. So incredibly sweet. Thank you for sharing something so heartfelt.

I read Jon's post via the link, then I read your post, then I cried a bit. As a mother of 2 girls with an amazing husband I adore, I get it.

BEAUTIFUL!!

Wonderful post and I agree with you that Jon's post is one of his best. I teared up reading it and it made me thankful for the 'Jon' in my life. We are trying to have a baby after two miscarriages and after the way he held me up after the latest one, I know that he is going to be such a wonderful dad. I don't know how we got so lucky!

I am really anxious to hear about Part Two of your birthing story....I know that you are kinda busy but wanted you to know that your blog is one thing that I look forward to when I log onto my computer and I thank you for doing what you do.

That made me teary. You two must be the sweetest couple I have ever read about online...when you aren't talking about poop. Maybe even then.

This has nothing to do with todays post, but more about the ones you have written over the past week or two. I will preface this by saying that the mere mention of vagina's and poop do not bother me at all, however, it seems like you are trying really hard to be as graphic and disgusting as you possibly can. I know such things bother your father and you get a kick out of that, but I think you're trying too hard at this point.

Over the past week, your posts have left me hoping that your father would haul off and slug you in the face for that.

Occasionally such posts are funny, but lately? Not so much.

Heather I read Jon's blog yesterday and wanted to tell you what an incredibly lucky woman you are but it looks you know just how blessed you are

After reading Jon's post today, I was in awe at his ability -- and willingness -- to write about and post to the world how he felt about everything he'd gone through with what has happened in your lives, good and bad and tragic. Putting aside how lucky he is in finding you, which he really is, being a heterosexual woman who has never quite hit it big in the relationship game, I think you have won the Powerball lottery in finding Jon. All you girls are lucky and, of course, deserving of it, to have such a special man in your lives. He's a gem. And I know you know it. The best to you.

It's so good to feel happy for others. Thank you for sharing and letting me feel happy for you!

@172. Suzy:

I doubt she's trying too hard, Suzy- I believe that's just Heather's sense of humor. I think that, especially, when someone's life is currently involving a lot of, um, interesting biological occurances, they joke about those things. Maybe the joking just increases when the various types of bodily fluids and functions increases- I know that's true in my life! I mean, how else do you deal with so much poo?!

I just read this, loved it and cried like a little bitch. Keep up the good work and the awesome family the two of you created. Much love!

that's very nice sharing...I also review your weblog on my site

Thank you so much for making me cry. I needed it. My husband and I just celebrated our 15th year of marriage and have 3 children. I cannot explain the love I feel for him and it was wonderful to hear yours in the terms you wrote. All I could say to him on our anniversary was "thanks for putting up with me for so long". Congrats on your new addition and I am glad things are going so well. doesn't it rock when they get the meds. right. From one depressed woman to another.

Aww, that's what I want. A love like that. If you know any cool guys in the NYC area, send them my way...

I have never commented here, but that was an incredible post from Jon. I have bipolar disorder and long ago gave up on finding anyone willing to slog through this with me. I spend so much time trying to not make my illness impact anyone else's lives. Thank you for the glimpse into someone who can do it. I don't know what I want to say, but thank you.

I can't believe I'm getting all slobbery here, but I got chills. Mostly because my mother is a Manic depressive and I totally got Jon with listening to the tone of your voice and whether you were adjusting meds, because I do that all the time with my mother and grew up doing it. My parents divorced when I was young and I then got all teary thinking how sad it was that my mother couldn't have had a marriage like this, where my father was willing to be the one listening instead of me. Sheesh I feel like I need to be telling a shrink this...then I hit a few of the nasty comments while coming down here to post and yikes, one was just plain evil. I don't know how you put up with that...and then I got all blubbery thinking why anyone would post such hate and how the hell do you take it when trying to keep your life, family, marriage together and having to read posts by yahoos?? If they don't like it they should just go read something else. What the hell is wrong with people? Anyway, I wish you the best, and thanks for sharing such deep stuff. Saved me a therapy session.

I am a single mom.

And I am in love.

It's been three months and the few fights we've had have been about my uncanny knack at stressing out or becoming overly anxious about my work (now my blog full-time. I know he wants to fix it, but he just can't. I have issues. I know we all do, but I think mine will take a while to work through. I just hope he sticks around and I hope I let him.

I am going to send him a link to Jon's post and hope it helps him cope with my depressive and anxious tendencies. Because what you just described, Heather, is what I want more than anything.

I love being single but I can taste what it would be like to love someone forever more - no matter what - and I can finally say I want it too.

Thanks so much for everything you two share with the world.

P.S. (to Heather) I was on an episode of Momversation a few weeks ago (about single moms and married moms) - hoping we can be in the same episode one day.

*sigh*

(Melody wipes a tear from her eye)

Really appreciated you sharing your stories. I actually had NOT read the actual posts of that time, but was of course aware of the issues to some extent. I think one of the best things to come of this newfangled internet is the unalterable knowledge that "WE ARE NOT ALONE" no matter how unique our situation may seem.

I've never suffered from postpartum depression or anxiety, but have plenty of friends who have. And I think one of the most often expressed feelings was one of guilt for not feeling "like everyone else" toward their newborn. Good for you both for letting it all hang out. I truly believe you've done some good. Thank goodness you were able to hear about such a wonderful doctor and have such quick access to his particular brand of care. I've never heard of any other physician who could achieve same day results.

Best wishes to all four of you! (well 6 counting the dogs)

This is so sweet! I like it almost as much as your posts about baby poop exploding and dog pee all over your shirt!

This is just so sweet. Yes there are hectic times, but now with our little boy, I look at my husband every day and think...how the heck did I get so lucky? Seriously, we are lucky girls!

HUGS to you both.
Brave, honest, real and a sense of humour.
The quadrella!
:-)
BB

I wuv you too Captain Clog. You are a superior father and husband.

Damn, I think something flew into my eyes. You two are so lucky to have each other.

ROCK ON Armstrongs! You give us all hope.
Congrats #26!!

I could barely read the last paragraph through my tear goggles. Very happy for you. If I didn't have love, I would want that kind of love, but luckily I do have that kind of love for my husband and I am so incredibly grateful. We call it movie love:)

Woohoo :) #26 bitches!!! Thank you for reminding me of the Spring of 2003 when the man who was to become my husband and I spent all day every day between the sheets. It's those sweet memories that help us get through nights of diapers and tears.

Happy Birthday, Jon Armstrong, you amazing man, you!!

Heather, you are a lucky woman! :)

I have read a lot of blogs about a lot of people who have a lot of things to say. Yours is the only one I return to again and again. Bucketfuls of reality. I am off to read Jon's now which I can safely do in a non-stalker kind of way - because you told us to!

Hi Heather,

So touching to read about your love to your man and kids!

It is truly a challenge to keep the love-line in marriage after having kids.

Not everybody makes it!

You do!

Congratulations! :-D

Greetings,
Claus

What a great love story you have. It's lovely to hear that couples can go through all these emotions and survive.
Coincidentally, I met my now husband in 2001 and we ended up having two girls. We're still very much in love like you guys.

Julia x

:)

That one got me a little misty, it did.

Hang on tight to him. He's a keeper!
I'm lucky like you. Mine is a good one too...

Thank you for sharing that Heather! It is wonderful to hear of a family that is madly in love despite some bumps and bruises.

Thanks Heather, I wanted to start my day crying at my desk.

I just forwarded Jon's words to my husband. I too deal with anxiety and mild depression and am constantly struggling with him to understand that it is OK for me to be medicated and in therapy. It does work. I need to feel better and I am sorry if he doesn't understand. He constantly wants to fix things but all I really need him to do is 'shut up and listen'. I love your site and love reading it. Thanks for sharing.

So nice to hear this kind of love...you just don't hear this on the nightly news. I'm going to stop watching TV now and read only Internet! ;p

Where's the second half of Marlo's birth story!? I love those kind of stories!

I wish I had known about your blog 17-1/2 years ago when my daughter was born and I fell apart which ended up destroying my marriage, too. In hindsight, I probably had PPD, too, but no one -- inc me -- could figure that out. I echo everyone else's comments about how fantastic this post is, and John's is, and I thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. Sometimes its just good to know there's someone else out there like you.

*tear*
i guess it's constantly reminding ourselves of these moments (especially in the rocky phases) that keep marriages and families whole. thanks.

Yeah! So happy to see Jon getting some credit! From the chair I sit in as I watch the mural you paint swirl to life, it's glaringly obvious that Jon is patient, kind and loves his family. Hold him tight Dooce, you got a great thing going. All the best!

Beautifully written Heather.
I love the way you both DO marriage the way, in my opinion, marriage was meant to be done. I come from a loooong line of divorce and though I always meant to, I have never married. At 50, I believe I never quite trusted a man enough to believe he would fight through thick and thin to make the marriage work...to really MEAN the vows "for better or worse".
I love reading about marriages where the couple actually fight for the love that brought them together and don't just give up on it and divorce when things get a little hairy. (Before I piss anyone off, I am sure that a small percentage of divorces are very necessary!)

Love and best wishes to all 4 of you. Thank you for sharing a small part of your lives with us.

As a therapist and Dad-to-be who struggles against fairly-constant-and-sometimes-debilitating anxiety, I'm totally inspired by you and Jon. Thanks for your honesty, humor, humanness, and courageous vulnerability. You. guys. rock. Please keep it up. The more we can do to fight the pernicious and ignorant stigma around meds and therapy for mental illness, the better. Fight on, sister.
Shaun

Aw.

Geez, bitch, you made me C-R-Y. Warnings, please, when you're going to do that, okay?

And also- yay for all of you.

Heather,
I have four children and after each child was born, on the third day post-birth, I had a day or tears, unrealistic thoughts/worries, etc. That was it...until my teenaged daughter went down a path that filled me with major grief/anxiety, you name it. My Dr. called it situational depression and it's been a long 6 years, but think my meds are finally stable and life is good. My husband stuck there with me and I appreciate him so much for it, because I think both the depressed person and the significant other have equally difficult positions to be in. It seems Jon is the perfect mate for you and awesome father to your children. He has a lot of wisdom which your tribute speaks gratitude and love towards him quite well.

That was lovely.

A poignant post. I'm on the other end of the relationship from you. Sending 2 girls off to college in a couple of weeks. My heart is about to burst!

Wow. This is the kind of writing that gets you on Forbes' list. Like the others, you've got me crying at work. Thank you.

geez heather - way to go and break someone's heart here. that was one of the most beautiful things i've read here. seriously - this new motherhood is really bringing out a new side of you and it's really magnificent. you're such a talented writer and it's no wonder u made to the forbes list. you go heather!!!!

Thank you for going there. I loved that post. God I wish everyone could be raw about life/love and the amazing journeys we go through to get to where we are now. Please let me find a man that I can have hot sex with all day every day and then someday have 2 beautiful children and be a woman of so many words and experiences. Someday.

Gosh! Let me go have sex with my husband now!

Wowee...I was blown away by Jon's post yesterday, and your response just brings it home.

I've been dating a new guy about two months now, and I don't know if he's the one, but do I know that we have sex all day every day and that he knows to just shut up and listen sometimes. So I'm understandably excited.

Personal story: I just switched birth control pills and the new one has been making me incredibly hormonal and emotionally unstable, and I let loose on him the other day (when we took a long lunch break to have sex at my place, natch) in a big way. The kind of blowup where most sane guys would leave, never talk to you again, and tell all their friends you're completely batshit insane. He just sat there, totally silent, and let me spew all over him for about 10 minutes. And then we talked it out. And then we had great sex.

Moral of the story: whether I end up with this guy or a different guy, I hope I have even 2% of what you and Jon have. I'm so happy for you...and also, Marlo is beyond adorable.

Thank you so much for your ongoing posts regarding depression. You two are to be commended for your willingness to share what it's like living with mental illness. It seems like most of society has yet to liberate itself from the stigma of this type of disease.

It's real, it can be treated and it's nothing to be ashamed of. By sharing and showing your love for each other through difficult times you're doing so much to educate people and helping those who need to, help themselves.

In this world, the only thing scarcer than Actual True Love is the awareness of it when it's happening.

It's obvious that you are very, VERY aware.

You just made me cry/tear-up at work, which is not the smartest thing to do when you man the front desk.

Thanks again for sharing your stories with us. You show the examples of how life works better when you let go of all the shit and myths we're all saddled with.

It's so great when happily married people tell the world.. Yeah for you. I'd heard of your site but never actually made it here... WOW.. I've been missing out.. I've been wandering around now for.... hmmm too long.. (good thing I don't work for "da man" or I'd have been fired by now.) I haven't found the right spot to subscribe yet But I assume it's here somewhere.. Great site... you have a new fan! I'm headed to read your husbands post next!

I told Jon, yesterday, that his post for the day was one of the most beautiful love stories I had ever read. You both are so lucky to have each other. I was married for 39 years before losing my husband to cancer and was so lucky to have him. In another 39 years I expect you and Jon will still be together, playing with your grandchildren.

B E A U T I F U L.

Thank the Lord for men.

goosebumps and happy tears for you and your happy family!!!!!

I JUST DISCOVERED YOUR WEBSITE ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. I AM 24 YEARS OF AGE AND WAS ABLE TO SEEK THE HELP I NEED FROM THE DISEASE THAT I BATTLE DAILY IT TOO IS CALLED DEPRESSION, POST TRAMATIC STRESS DISORDER, AND THEY EVEN BELIEVE I SUFFER FROM OCD AS WELL. IF YOU MET ME OUT YOU WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN I SUFFERED FROM SUCH AN ILLNESS BUT I DO AND IT HURTS EVERYDAY. READING YOUR WEBSITE HAS BEEN AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE FOR ME. I LAUGH, I CRY, AND I RELATE AND IT MAKES ME SMILE TO KNOW I HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO AND FIND SOMEONE WHO HELPS ME TO HELP ME WITHOUT EVER KNOWING THAT THEY HAVE IMPACTED MY LIFE. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH MY ILLNESS FOR SOMETIME I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING HONEST. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR LIFE WITH US. THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME. THANK YOU.

This is awesome. I am so glad y'all are doing well.

You deserve to be happy.

Very, very sweet and touching. It's great that it's been so much better this time around. Good luck to you both!

God you Cancers have such a way with expressing your feelings and emotions!

I am one of those people like you. I found your site a year or two ago and I've read every entry since. I don't read it just because it's about two people making a good life with depression and anxiety obstacles, but I have to say it's nice to see the happy ending. It's wonderful read a true story about this familiar struggle and see the happy ending that doesn't really end. That's the best. Most stories have a clear end, leaving us to wonder what happened next. What about the next challenge?

Thank you for letting us in on your life, for sharing your struggles and triumphs so openly. It is very, very appreciated.

-One of Those Like You

i wish every woman were as lucky as you are... me included!

Now I want to know what question the reporter asked you. Do we get a link???

Very sweet hormone induced sleep deprived poignant post.

Doocekins - Please finish posting about your labor experience. I'm in an absolute panic I won't see it until after I've had my 2nd baby (due Sept 2nd) and I'm afraid it might hold key information that will help me! I am 34 weeks and have just realized that if I don't prepare myself better for going natural, I'll never make it. I'm about to hire a doula and have received scads of second hand books on doing this au naturale. My first child's birth was probably a similar experience to Leta's and I have quietly been thinking to myself that I want to go natural and have finally gotten the nerve to tell my husband (I didn't want to tell anyone because - what if I failed at something that was important to me and others knew it?) This is my last baby so I really want this experience. Anyway, this has gone on long enough and you could be spending the time it's taking you to read this and finish it already! TY, Loyal Reader #95462766

Thanks for posting the link to Jon's blog. I didn't know it existed but really enjoyed that read.

Thanks Heather.

This is really sentimental. Thanks for showing us that it's okay to embrace our sensitive side.

Heather...I loved what you wrote and I went and read all of Jon's orig post...I am also one of those women that have a husband that not only adores me...but he loves my crazy too. I often joke about it with him...gotta remember my crazy pills...recently I decided to take a hiatus from my meds to see if they were really needed. After a couple of months it is my wonderful husband that held me close one night and said, "I love you...we need you on your meds..." I started them the next day and I know now that I will always need to take them or I will sink into my dark aloneness...I love reading your blog...I love reading Jon's blog...I'm glad that you talk about your depression...it has helped me talk about mine too. Thanks Heather.