10 years and a letter of love

We were fortunate to spend our special anniversary in Cabo ~ 10 years!  10 years, people!  It sounds like a long time, but to be perfectly honest it doesn't feel like it at all.  It doesn't seem like 10 years have passed since we said, "I do," but then I look at our life and all that we've accomplished together and I know that it must have taken some time, because we've done a lot.  I also think back to ten years ago and feel like we were babies when we stood at that alter, in front of our dear friends and family who we love so much, and made promises before God.  We were just 24 and we had our whole life ahead of us.  And it kind of feels like we still do...I look at our children and know that we have so many wonderful, perhaps some challenging, times ahead.  10 years have flown by and I can honestly say that I am just as excited to see where the next ten will lead us.

Ken and Diane were kind enough to watch all the kids so that we could go out.  Stacy and Justin joined us for a special evening.

We started at the beach front bar and then headed to La Gondolondrina, which has wonderful food and a beautiful atmosphere! 

For my love,

Marriage isn't always easy, but I can confidently say that I found the perfect partner for me.  Kyle is the calm when I'm storming, always staying rational, never rising to the bait of an argument.  It's remarkable, really, his ever steady walk through life.  It is a quality of his that I greatly admire and am often thankful for. He's so very easy going.  He is hard to anger and easy to make happy.  I know he appreciates me, which is a gift all on its own.  Kyle is the pillar of faith in our family.  I love that he has willingly sought God in difficult situations and has made an effort to deepen his relationship with Christ.  What a wonderful example he is to our children.  I will also be forever grateful for the comfort that I take knowing that Kyle is protecting our family ~ he provides unselfishly, working so hard, to give us a good life.  He's successful in his job, mostly I believe because he is kind and honest and people can trust him.  That's a rare quality in business these days and he has been rewarded for it.  Kyle makes an effort to make me feel special ~ over these ten years of marriage he has listened and tried to do little things that he knows I will love.  We have had to learn one another's love languages, and we've come along way.  I look back to the start of our marriage and while we had a ton of fun and certainly lived a more carefree life, at this point we know one another more deeply, love more intimately.  While every day isn't perfect, I am proud of us.  Proud of my husband and the love that he has for our family. 

I love you, Kyle and feel blessed to have you as my partner in life.

9 years!

Our story is a good one, I think...and as I look back, I am absolutely certain that God's timing and plan was perfect.  Even though Linfield is a tiny college and Kyle and I were both active in the Greek system, we didn't meet until my senior year when he moved into the apartment next door.  Perfect timing.  We had a lot of fun, dated other people, did a little studying and were at a great spot to start a more "serious" relationship when we met.  From the first glance at (a shirtless) Kyle, I knew that I wanted to get to know him better.  Really, who wouldn't, he was so cute?!?  We attended a party together and went on our first official date (a Kevin Bacon movie) a couple of weeks later.  I knew pretty quickly that this relationship was different and special.  It wasn't always smooth sailing, but we had a lot of fun and fell very much in love.

And as we celebrated our ninth year of marriage today, I can honestly say that I found the perfect man for me.  He is a calming balance to my somewhat high strung self, he offers rational perspective, isn't easily agitated and is always loving. His love is something that I count on and have never doubted.  Marriage is a not a sprint, it's a marathon, and there are days that are harder than others, it's certainly not always easy, but I am so thankful to have a husband who is faithful, loyal, loving and patient. 

And here's a look at our journey together...

Fall of 1999

We'd only been dating a few months by this point...I kind of think we look exactly the same, am I delusional?

Alpha Phi informal

You'll notice a trend if you look at our college pictures - we were often in crazy clothes or funny hats.  My girlfriends and I were notorious for dressing up and parading around campus.  Such innocent fun.  I loved those days!

Spring of 2000

Theta Chi Red Ox

Yep, it's a big ol' barn dance and it was a ton of fun.  I just laugh at the frequency of my overall wearing.  Overalls...to a party?  And I confess this wasn't the first time. 

March 15th, 2003

Happy then, happier still...

I love this picture and I loved everything about that day!

I often find my mind wandering on Sunday mornings at church, thinking back to this special day.  We were calm and so joyful...so completely ready to start our life together.  It was emotional and fun.  We were surrounded by our friends and family and made a promise to God and each other.  I wouldn't change a thing.

And so began our life together as husband and wife...here's a little look at the places we've been.

First stop, our honeymoon to Fiji!

We stayed at a beautiful, secluded, relaxing resort and enjoyed every minute together.  We went scuba diving, had lobster dinners, laid in the sun, read, snorkeled, attempted (and failed) to kayak around our little island and talked about our dreams for the future.

The following year we headed to Disneyland with friends.  Kyle hadn't been since he was a kid and we had such a great time together!

Here we are in the waters of the Caribbean.  We wanted to take a special trip before we started a family, and we decided to take a cruise to the eastern part of the Caribbean.  Still one of the best weeks of my life.  We had so much fun, got to see four different island nations, dress up for fancy dinners, relax poolside and meet new people.  It was the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure.

We've managed a few trips to San Francisco to visit Kyle's sister.  This trip was especially memorable, because both Stacy and I were pregnant.  It was also fun, because Stacy and Justin lived in the heart of the city and we were able to do a lot of the fun, touristy things.  Carter was a pretty easy traveller and was at such a fun age.  This was a very happy time.

Every other year we are fortunate enough to head down to Cabo San Lucas with Kyle's family for a week vacation.  We have been three times and each time gets better!  I can't imagine how nice it will be to go next year and have both kids out of cribs, done with diapers and naps and able to swim on their own!  We might actually get to relax.  Oh the thought!

And our best adventure...two healthy, spunky, smart and beautiful little ones that God has blessed us with.

So, after nine years here is where we are in life - Thankful for our healthly family, happily employed during this time of economic unrest, struggling at times to raise our strong willed children, growing in our faith together and counting our blessings!

Kyle and I were able to celebrate our anniversary on Sunday evening.  Ken and Diane were gracious enough to watch the kids so we could enjoy a few hours together.  We ran a few errands (and we asked ourselves when running errands alone began to feel like such a luxury?) and then had a wonderful dinner.  We lingered over drinks and appetizers, took our time eating our meal and talked.  We planned and dreamed and had fun thinking about our future. 

Happy 9th Anniversary!

Cheers! 

To many more!