Then

The date today: June 17, 2009

Let me take you back to a very special day in time: June 17, 2003

To set the scene: A girl, 17, and a guy, 18, have been flirting very heavily for about two weeks. The girl's friends are asking when the guy and girl are going to have the DTR (define the relationship), since it is obvious they are smitten:) The guy's mom and the girl's best friend have been meddling...It is the second day of Summerfest and the girl is a co-leader with her friend. The guy has spent every possible moment at the girls side that he can and, GASP, during the worship service the guy lightly plays with, and eventually holds, the girls hand:) After Summerfest ends that night, the guy and the girl go to Jamba Juice (this has become a very regular thing for them to do). Afterwards they return to the church to watch a movie with the other high school volunteers, but decide to stay on the grassy hill outside after everybody else leaves;) After about 10 minutes of chit chat and hand holding the guy says to the girl, "Will you be my girlfriend?"!! And the rest is history:)

Oh, in case you didn't catch it, Me and Chris are the girl and the guy:)

Okay, so I know I'm a goof! I'm not sure why this year has been so sentimental for me. Maybe it's because we're back in the place it all started, maybe it's that we're finally married, or maybe it's just because with every year that goes by, I realize how very lucky I am to have spent another year with the most incredible, loving man I have ever known! And despite our own weaknesses, God has continued to be faithful to us and grow our love for one another. With each year that passes, it just gets better and better.

On my way in to work this morning I heard this song by Brad Paisley and I couldn't believe how fitting it was:)

Then
I remember, trying not to stare the night that I first met you
You had me mezmorized
And three weeks later, in the front porch light
taking forty-five minutes to kiss goodnight
I hadn't told you yet
but I thought I loved you then

And now you're my whole life
now you're my whole world
I just can't believe the way I feel about you, girl
Like a river meets the sea,
stronger than it's ever been.
We've come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then

And I remember, taking you back to right where I first met you,
You were so surprised
There were people around, but I didn't care
Got down on one knee right there once again,
I thought I loved you then

And now you're my whole life
now you're my whole world
I just can't believe the way I feel about you, girl
Like a river meets the sea,
stronger than it's ever been.
We've come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then

I could just see you, with a baby on the way
And I could just see you, when your hair is turning gray
What I can't see is how I'm ever gonna love you more
But I've said that before

And now you're my whole life
now you're my whole world
I just can't believe the way I feel about you, girl
We'll look back someday, at this moment that we're in
And I'll look at you and say
And I thought I loved you then
And I thought I loved you then

Happy six years, Babe. Here's to another 66!

Sadly, I don't have a picture on the computer of us all that time ago, but I'll leave you with my favorite engagement picture. Just pretend:)


Photo by: Sarah Dawson Photography