My wife and I recently celebrated our second wedding anniversary. Although we didn't go on any fancy trips, we had an almost-perfect day.

We biked around the Anacostia River in the morning, and in the afternoon we relaxed at the National Arboretum. Lying on a picnic blanket far from the bustle of tourists, we talked about highlights (and lowlights) from the past year as puffy white clouds floated overhead. It was the most relaxed I've felt in years.

That night, we ate at one of our favorite restaurants on Capitol Hill. Then we came home and, before starting a movie, fired up our wedding DVD and watched our first dance -- something we had yet to do. It was amazing.

As I went to sleep that night, I couldn't help feeling an overwhelming sense of happiness.

Life is lived in the small, not the grand moments.

Although marriage hasn't always been easy, it's always been good. Life is greater when shared. But marriage has also helped me better enjoy life by teaching me important lessons.

Here are the two big lessons I learned in my second year of marriage.

For much of my life, I looked forward to marriage as the cure to many of my problems, particularly loneliness. And while matrimony has dealt a death-blow to that issue, it hasn't changed my day-to-day life as much as I would have thought.

That's because regardless of circumstance, life is still life -- no matter if you get married, go to college, get a better job, buy a new house, or win the lottery. Initially, change may make everything seem new and exciting, but you soon acclimate and life returns to normal.

By always looking forward to the next "big thing," we end up missing all the "small things" that compose most of life. It's important, then, to enjoy and appreciate the humble, understated, slow, seemingly insignificant moments. Treat them as a gift from God, worthy of relishing and savoring.

Your words and actions affect those around you.

Washing the dishes. Grocery shopping. Standing in line. Falling asleep. Reading a book. Taking a walk. Eating meals.

Marriage has taught me this is where life is lived.

Before getting married, I saw myself as an island -- emotionally and physically detached from everyone around me. That's not to suggest I didn't have close friends or eschewed intimacy. But at the end of the day, I didn't see myself as tightly connected to anyone. I was independent; autonomous; unconstrained.

Here's the problem with this mentality, though. Not only is it a recipe for loneliness, it fools us into believing the consequences of our actions are largely limited to ourselves.

But this isn't true. Everything we say and do affects those around us. While this isn't limited to those who are married, it's clearest in that context.

This post originally appeared at PaulPerkins.com.

Paul Perkins writes about living intentionally at PaulPerkins.com. Follow him on Facebook, and get a free copy of his eBook, The Art of Creating, about developing your artistic craft.

A short tone or unkind word can upend a happy day. An uncaring action or insensitive remark can cause real emotional damage. A moment of selfishness or sour attitude can wreck havoc on a relationship.

Marriage has taught me I am not an island, but rather deeply connected to those around me, and my actions and words have serious implications to each and every one of these people. And that's good, because you and I were not created to live in isolation, but in community -- and marriage is the epitome of community.