I posted earlier about Jillian and Ryan having their first wedding anniversary this summer. Her dad, Paul Daugherty , Jillian’s dad and author of “An Uncomplicated Life-A Father’s Memoir of His Exceptional Daughter”,
wrote a blog post recently reflecting on their first year of marriage and I just loved it so much I wanted to share it:

How simple love can be, when the heart is allowed to rule.

Jillian and Ryan celebrated their first anniversary June 27, by spending a night at the same inn where they spent their first night together as husband and wife. I’m happy to report their relationship gets better every day.

Why?

Same reasons our marriages do.

Here’s what I’ve noticed about Jillian and Ryan these past 13 months:

They rely on one another. Ryan is book smart. Jillian is street smart. Ryan subscribes to the Cincinnati Enquirer, and reads it daily. Jillian knows what to do when she misses the metro bus that takes her to work. Their talents work well together.

They’re kind to one another. When one is down, the other is there. I’ve noticed Ryan using endearment terms far more frequently in the last few months: “Honey” is a constant. “She’s my sweetheart.” “I love her with all my heart.” Each is very good at asking how the other is feeling.

They’re a team. Watching them at the grocery store, filling a basket with the week’s meals, reading from a list they’ve prepared, makes it plain they go at life together.

They enjoy each other’s company. We spent two weeks on vacation recently, and they were practically inseparable.

They allow each other freedom. Ryan has his “guys” from the Northern Kentucky University baseball team, for which he has been a manager for several years. Jillian has similar attachments with the NKU men’s basketball team. (They both went to NKU for four years, and walked at graduation.)

They know they’re better together. This is more of a sense than anything. Neither has ever even suggested that things aren’t working out.

I’ve been pleasantly amazed. Even though Kerry and I always believed Jillian would marry, we (at least I) wondered if she had the emotional capability for it. She has exceeded even our highest expectations.

For more awesomeness click the link and read the entire post…OR go out and get the book!!

http://www.pdaugherty.com/married-with-down-syndrome/

Keep on rockin’ it Jillian and Ryan!! Congrats!!!