11.....10......9......HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

11 years ago

I was fresh out of college.  I was young, selfish, single...with the whole world ahead of me.  I had just sworn off of casual dating and decided to take some time to just enjoy my friends, focus on the direction I wanted my life to go in, and not only push the "men" to the back burner, but I took them off the entire stove.  It was time to get my stuff together.  Little did I know, in two short months, God would send the most incredible man into my life via a country bar.

10 years ago

I had been dating this "guy" for the past 10 months.  We've been to Europe and back (with my family, no less...and our relationship survived).  I'm head-over-heals for him, and he's asking me about rings.  We're planning a trip to the U.P. for my birthday weekend.  We both love fall, and really want to see it in all its glory.  I'm hoping he's going to ask me to marry him, but I know he won't until he asks my dad for my hand in marriage.  Dad just left for deer hunting season.  I'm doubtful I'm getting a ring for my birthday weekend. 

9 years ago.

Nine years ago, I married my man.   Nine years ago, we said "I do."

The names are the same, but the love has grown. 

It's stronger, more mature. 

Deeper.

He is not only the one I love (face to face),
but he is my teammate.  (Shoulder to shoulder).

The wastelines have changed, the checkbook balances have changed, the person signing our payroll checks has most definitely changed. 

Wrinkles, gray hairs,

worries, tears,

laughter, smiles,

prayers,

triumphs and tragedies.

There's no one else I'd rather be in this life with.

So glad God sent me him.

Nine years.  I'd marry him again in a heartbeat.

Happy Anniversary, Dave!