We were young. Oh my gosh we were young. You handsome and cool in that sweater vest I hated. Me all 20 and wild and carefree and a little wiser than I'd been a few years before. You came, that night while I sat at the "Welcome" desk for Navigators. You came and you said you were looking for ways to get involved. And we smiled and talked casually. And yes, yes you tease me even now, I gave you my number. Best decision I'd made all year.
You called 8 days later, (maybe I counted) and we talked for two hours and it seemed we had more in common than not. I laughed, I remember, so so much. You were funny! You're still so funny.
That was August. August 2003. Babe, we've come a long way.
And we started "hanging" out. Coffee shops, movies, just getting together. We poured over each other's writing. We listened to Sade and Miles Davis and you enlightened me in music and I enlightened you in the art of cookie baking and my mad basketball skills.
And in January you asked me, officially, you asked me "to go steady", because you're silly that way. And I said yes and by February knew I was in love. It was the best secret I'd ever kept because we promised we wouldn't say it till you put a shiny ring on my finger and promised to say it forever.
And oh there were some bumps in the road- like former relationships and worries and what ifs. But we made it babe. Made it all the way to May of the next year when you, in front of our friends and our youth group and my mom, you got down on one knee and asked me that question. And you were so nervous you forgot to say I love you but I forgave you because you showed it, with that ring and with that knee bent, you showed it.
3 1/2 months later you proved it when you said "I do" on that day in August with the perfect weather and the handsome tuxedo and your hair cut just the way I like it. And I remember thinking, is this real? Is it really real? And you were. And you still are.
Man I love you. I can't believe the years that have gone by. Can't believe the way we've grown and melded and figured out just what love is (think we'll be figuring that out forever). Can't believe the things we used to fight about. Can't believe the things we've learned along the way.
You've given me happiness, hope, a safe haven, strong arms, wisdom beyond my years, 2 beautiful children, laughter, peace and more love than I know what to do with at times. You lead me, you love me. You are patient and collected when I am worried and fearing. You are calm when I am a tempest.
I'm still right more than you are. :)
Thanks for 6 years of marriage and 8 of knowing you. I would never dream of getting off this ride.
Love you.
