Ten Years & Three Children Later

Dwayne -

I remember the moment that I realized that I wanted you to be mine. I was 14. You stepped up onto the school bus. I was the 'goody-two-shoes' and you were a little on the bad side. You had long hair (when long hair was cool), you skipped school, you smoked, you were hot.

You didn't know I existed.

We started to get to know each other. My heart would race when you sat in the seat next to mine. We quickly became friends. I don't know why...we had absolutely nothing in common. For two years we were the best of friends. I told you way more than I ever told my girlfriends. Girls can be so girly - backstabbing, gossipy, competitive. You didn't care about all that stuff. You were just you.

I so clearly remember that day at Grandma & Grandpa's. Remember it? Listening to Suspicious Minds, Love Bites and Lady In Red on the stereo? Playing rummy? Eating candies - peppermints, I think? That's the day we started looking at each other differently. Like more than just friends. Looking back, I was just a baby (16 years old). But I was pretty sure that you were the one.

Our wedding day was beautiful. I was still a baby - 20 years old. It was a hot, hot summer day. On our way to the wedding, us girls ran into construction. I was ready to get out in my wedding dress and ask them to let us through already! It did make us a bit late for the wedding, but it could hardly start without me. *wink*

We didn't know the Lord and churches made us a bit nervous. Remember ditching my gum for me on the way out of the church? I forgot it in my mouth and was hoping I wasn't going to choke on it, hidden in the top of my mouth, while I was saying my vows! And remember the minister wearing sandals?!?! I was flabbergasted. I had on $200 lace boots and the minister was wearing sandals!

After the ceremony, we did the traditional drive around town, horns honking. We drove around the traffic circle enough times to make me dizzy. When we went through the A & W drive-thru that poor lady ordering didn't know where to go to get out of the way!

Remember Frank during pictures? He was a resident at the care-home where I was working. Our pictures were taken there because of the beautiful gardens. Frank was in the background in nearly every picture!

We were fashionably late for the dinner and dance. Our first song was It's Your Love by Tim McGraw. Dad & I danced to Butterfly Kisses. Remember how Auntie Barb ripped the button that bustled my train right off my dress while we danced to The Locomotion?! I was exhausted by the time we left the dance.

Good times!

Now, ten years later, you are still the love of my life. I often feel as if I'm living a dream. We have both found Jesus, we have 3 precious boys, friends and family who love us, and a beautiful home in a beautiful place. When I see you somewhere unexpectedly, my heart still skips a beat. I still feel like that teenager in love! Thank you for making my dreams come true!

Happy anniversary, Dwayne! I love you!