Love.

This past Thursday was my 10th wedding anniversary!!! Not to toot our horn, but in today's world, that is a big deal! I heard on the radio last week, that the average American marriage ends prior to 7 years. That is unbelievable to me. Marriage is hard, no doubt, but it is so rewarding and I can't imagine not working hard to make it work.

I thought I would share a quick version of our love story.

Hubby and I met at his parents church, when we were both in High School. (Yes, he is a PK and fit the rebellious stereotypes. :) My Dad was driving by the church one day and said he felt like there was a reason we needed to go there. Years later, we realized that reason was my sweet Hubby. When we first started attending, Hubby had a long-time girlfriend. I was not your normal teenage girl, and had no desire for a boyfriend. I had been on several dates, but nothing ever clicked. My thought was, if you don't see the possibility of marriage--don't waste your time dating. The church was very small and made it impossible to avoid Hubby since the youth group was made up of about 5 of us. The first couple of years we just ignored each other. He thought I was stuck-up (I was) and I thought he was sloppy. (He dressed in that whole grunge/skater style) His Mother loved me and was constantly hinting that he should take me out. At some point, his relationship ended and his Mom really stepped up her match making game. A friend in youth was having a birthday and she said he should take me to the party at a local restaurant. We both agreed awkwardly, but ended up completely enjoying each other's company. Things moved quickly between us and after what seemed like only a month, people were talking marriage. A little scary to the girl who had never had a boyfriend, and A LOT scary to the boy who is now in college and still figuring out his life path.
Here is where I am going to save you a lot of time...
He broke up with me a total of three times. 3. Each time was a ridiculous excuse bundled with, "I love you so much, but this just isn't a good time." Months later, I would get a call declaring his love and how much he missed me, we would date a little while and then people would start talking marriage again and he would split. Whatever. I was determined not to be like all of my babbling, sappy girlfriends (love ya girls!) who let a little break up get them down. When we were together, we were together, when we weren't, I pretended he didn't exist. :) Of course this drove him crazy and eventually he couldn't stand it anymore.
A girl in our youth group got married and we both went to the wedding. I had a small part in the wedding, and I wore a gorgeous dress. I looked H.O.T. I'm not gonna lie. It was so like a Julia Roberts movie, where the couple loves each other, but it just hadn't worked before and then the girl shows up looking amazing and the guy realizes how dumb he is for wasting time without her. That is exactly what happened, because after that day at the wedding, we have been together ever since! Three months later, we were engaged. September 30, 2000, we were married. We had a magical honeymoon in St. Thomas, it was perfect.

Me+Hammock+Nap+St. Thomas= Perfection
(This should be my every day.)




10 years, 3 boys and half way through Medical school, we are as happy as ever.
We got married at 21, and I remember everyone telling us that getting married at young was a mistake. I am so happy to have proved them wrong. I can't imagine my life without my love and I don't regret a moment. We have been through so much in 10 years, it really feels like we have been married even longer than that. Sickness, difficult pregnancies, death, heartache, layoffs, surgeries...but then there's the sweet babies, laughter, romantic gestures, loves notes, surprises, vacations, a billion family memories, the hugs, the kisses, and the dreams of our future together. It's been ten years, and I know without a doubt he loves me unconditionally and no matter what we face he will be right by my side. I love him.

I am sure you are thinking, what about the anniversary gifts? Well, I will tell you that my hubby is great when it comes to gifts, so I have to really think about his gift in advance because he always out does my gifts. I bought him a new wedding band. His had become to large and pretty banged up. He loved his new band and has been showing it off to everyone. It made my heart glad to see him so happy. He loves to surprise me, and he did just that again this year. First he handed me a beautiful card and then told me my present was in my purse. (How'd he do that?) I found another card from The Elm's (a local Hotel and Spa) with a gift certificate for a Spa day package!!!!! Mani, pedi, facial, aromatherapy bath and a massage!!! Yes, please!!! He said after my wreck I totally needed it, and he couldn't be more right. I just have to wait for my ribs to heal so that I can enjoy my special relaxing day thanks to my sweet Hubby. This weekend, he arranged for my parents to watch the kids so we could celebrate with dinner and a date. He surprised me again with a new pair of shoes! Did I say how much I love him?

Hubby and I don't have much time together, but I really treasure the time we do have. Ten years ago, I wouldn't have ever imagined that we could survive the things we did, but we have, and are even more in love than when we said "I do."