Signed, Sealed, Delivered...

Twenty-two years ago today, I married someone who I'm sure was put on this planet for that very reason. He has loved me and given me a sense of security and safety that I had never known. He is my rock. And for some reason, he lets me be me. And loves me anyway.

Happy anniversary to my wonderful husband....

If you're interested in the beginning of this story, you'll find it here. It's kind of amazing that we got together way back when.

Sixty-Seven...

years they've been married. This month. And they are as sweet as ever.

Yes, they both are University of Alabama football fans.

Hence the crimson t-shirts with the big A and the big football.

and gardeners.

And wonderful parents to three children.

And to me, their daughter-in-law.

But to my daughter, they are Mano and PopPop.

The names she gave them when she was a tiny thing.

And they stuck.

Happy 67th Anniversary to the most precious couple I know!

 

Nineteen Years.... Really?

I remember

the proposal at a University of Alabama football game

saying "yes," then immediately locking our keys in the car

I remember

finding the perfect dress, but then buying it a size too big in another town

the perfect shoes and veil all within my budget

I remember

walking down the aisle and saying "I do"

knowing it was the best thing that had happened in my life

I remember

Mom and Traci and Parris

Carson, Mikal, and Matt

I remember

how perfect the weather was that day... warm breezes and blue sky

and how perfect the weather was for our honeymoon

a ski trip where buckets of snow seemed to fall from the sky

But what I didn't realize then

was just how blessed my life truly would be

with a comfortable home

and a precious family of my own.

Happy Anniversary to us!

It's a Match, Part 2

It's a big week in my household. It's not only the week of Valentine's Day, but it's also the week we celebrate our anniversary. Today marks our 18th year of married life!

From the beginning, odds may have been against us. On our first lunch date, his car was packed for a weekend of golf. Mine was packed for a weekend of skydiving. He talked about Alabama football. I talked about... skydiving. He enjoyed running. I enjoyed... skydiving. His family made sure he had a college education. I was still paying my way through school while juggling full- and part-time jobs.

But I liked him. Although I was admittedly confused about his passion for golf and college football.

After a few more dates, we clicked. I even became an Alabama fan, wearing crimson, which I was sure clashed with my hair. And he ventured to the airport with me a few times to watch me jump and to join me on a few flights.

He proposed on his parents' anniversary, right in the heart of 'bama territory. He figured that if I accepted his proposal at a football game, I would certainly understand his passion for Bama football and wouldn't hold it against him in the future.

We set our wedding date for the following April but moved it up to February when we found a house to buy. A small, white frame "cottage," it was definitely not the three-story house on the lake that we had first looked at!

It seems amazing that 18 years have passed since that special February day. Since then we have worked hard to build a home for our family and were blessed to welcome a daughter into our world five years after our marriage.

On the outside, one would not think our marriage was such a monumental event. We met, fell in love, and got married. It happens all the time to other people. But it was even more than that. My husband brought to me the kind of life of which I had dreamed. One of stability, of safety, and of love.

A man of few words, my husband speaks the language of love through actions more so than words. He helps take care of our home, washing clothes, cooking meals, keeping the grass mowed. He wakes up earlier than necessary to prepare my breakfast and package my lunch each and every day of the school year. And it's not just any breakfast or lunch. He is thoughtful enough to vary my meals, so I don't get tired of eating the same thing each day.

And even though he doesn't say much, he has often captured my heart with just a few simple words scribbled at the bottom of a card.

This man of few words is a man of many actions, and his actions speak louder than words. I wouldn't trade my 18 years of marriage for anything. I am blessed and happy to be his wife.

Happy Anniversary!

xoxo