My man!

I am fairly sure I haven't bragged nearly enough on this blog yet about my amazing hubby. Let me give you a semi-condensed version (ok, it's a bit of a read, but it's a great story!) of how we became Mr. & Mrs......mom & dad.....

Father's Day 09

We have known eachother since 1984, yep, more than 1/2 of our lives. We once once found an invitation I had written to him in '86 (in pencil...apparently my mom MADE me invite him, so he says...I don't recall it that way & I'm stickin' to it!) for a party I had. He apparently "stalked" me by riding his bike by my house many times while young teens (I sadly had to break the news to him recently that I never did see him do this...he then turned his disappointed expression into a conquering expression stating "Yessssss...I was GOOD!").

what cuties, huh?

Later, as sophomores, we had one "date"...I didn't think we called it that, to me it was a way to get to the Athletic Banquet to hang w/some friends...yes, I was much more shallow as a teen (well, he had a chili-bowl haircut which was not cool in those days, come on!), so no mean comments! Apparently, I bolted from the car when we arrived back at my house before he could even get to my car door. Again...these are HIS words, if I did move that quickly it was not to be mean...at least I don't recall that and I'm stickin' to it. Now, just to keep the "booooo's" down to a minimum from all of you, we stayed friends through all of this. We had classes together and did the occasionaly class project together.

Something happened when we became seniors. This chili-bowled haircut boy had grown up over the summer. After a double date with friends (to Red Lobster and the JV game), I was hooked. I was amazed it was so, but I was hooked, I mean, we were friends right? What happened that made me change my mind? I don't know but I'm pretty sure God had a hand in it.

Drill Team formal fall '88


trip w/my parents after graduation '89

We dated for 2 years (and a first kiss after 2 months...yes, girls, I hung in and it finally came...of course, HIS version mentions me throwing him against a barbed wire fence to take that kiss, but I haven't seen the scars he brags about), then we went our separate ways to college (ok, as he's sitting here reading this he would like for me to add that I dumped him and went MY separate way...whatever!). We occasionally dated and always kept each other in mind one way or another. Many summers at camp for me, many summers working for him but we still chatted a time or two, usually between boyfriends/girlfriends, keeping each other hanging on just in case I suppose....

Then THE date came...after several years of just being friends again...I was home from grad school for Thanksgiving and we had plans to see a movie and have dinner. I will never forget this moment because after the date, I was talking to mom & dad, telling them that I had really had a fun time. I didn't expect to have that much fun, I wasn't sure why I it shocked me but I wasn't sure I had wanted it to be that fun. Dad, who never said much to me about boys I dated, looked at me like I was nuts and said "What's wrong with liking T?" He then proceeded to tell me that T was the only boy I had ever dated that would take care of me like he expected. Then it was time for me to look at him with the "are you nuts" expression? ha! Dad had turned traitor on me :)


Ok...this gets romantic...One month later, mom & I decided to drive over to T's college graduation ceremony. I don't think he expected it. After the ceremony, we found him and gave him his gift, a bible with his name on it, and talked for a few minutes. He invited me to an after-graduation party but I declined. After leaving, my mood changed...I became irritated for some reason. I think I felt like I hadn't talked to him long enough or something, mom finally became fed up with my new sour attitude and asked if I wanted to go back to talk a few more minutes. I did, but we weren't sure how to find him...it's a big campus. We drove back to his campus and while driving over a bridge, we spotted him. In fact, as God would have it, he was the only person on that bridge. We stopped and I got out of the car to tell him thanks for inviting me, but maybe he could come in to town to hang out the next day or so. While we chatted, he brushed a hair off of my face (sigh!) which seemed so natural neither one of us noticed he did it (mom did, though...being the sneak she was, watching in her side mirror!). My mood completely improved before we parted...weird huh? :)


Engaged!!

Well...1 year later (and after a fabulous kiss w/out barbed wire!), we were married (he swears mom & I booked the church the day after we saw him at his graduation!...so not true...it was atleast 2 days later.........). Here's the thing..it was always T, he's the one I compared others with whether I knew it or not, he's the one my aunts and uncles always preferred (not just my Dad!), he's always been My Man!

And now he's J's Dad, I have to share him, but I'm ok with that...and he's not just any old Dad, he's amazing, adorable, annoying (oops!), funny, goofy, serious, sexy (his and J's addition, although I must agree!). There are times he reminds me of my Dad, who we all know I adore. There are times he reminds me of his Dad, who we all know drives me a bit nuts (said in love!). There are times he reminds me of his Step-dad, which...ummmm...well, Pop, I know you're reading this so I'll keep that to myself....hee hee..can you say bermuda shorts?? :).

Where would I be without the men in my life?

T - I am so thankful that one of the few times I completely obeyed God, I ended up married to you (yes, your persistance paid off!).

My Dad - tears came to my eyes this morning during church as I realized how blessed & thankful I am that I could call you this Father's Day and talk to you, you're still here and you're feeling good.

Pop - while you send me e-mails in triplicate (ha!), you make me laugh and I thank you for being there for my hubby as he grew up.

Morris - we don't get to see you often, but I'm thankful for the qualities I see in T that came from you.

family pic Christmas '08

J & I are blessed, God is awesome...THE END (well, for today!) (oooo....and don't forget to go to cwbc.org for Daniel Ch 9, great message again today!)