Reflecting on 10 years of Wonderful!

Dallas and I started dating our Senior year of High school- October of 1999. This photo above was taken on a mission trip following our graduation, the summer of 2000. It was on this mission trip that we got engaged. We were in Arlington, Texas working at the mission and holding VBS's in apartment complexes in the area. One evening, when we got back to the apartment where our team was staying, we had an argument. (So not romantic, I know!) Dallas asked me to take a walk with him. I thought "okay, this is it. He is breaking up with me. My life is totally over." He led me over to a little patch of pitiful grass and we sat down. He began to explain how much I meant to him. He told me how much he loved me, that I was his best friend, and that he wanted to grow old with me. Then he popped the question. Unable to even answer him- tears streaming down my face...my life, in that moment, changed forever.

I look at this picture and I think back to that time...and I have to laugh. I can honestly say that I don't even know these people! We have changed so much (physically speaking- we are geezers now) but more so in maturity. We were just kids who loved each other so much and loved the Lord and just wanted to have a marriage that would honor Him- but didn't have the first clue on how to get there. So much has happened in the past 1o years. We've lost parents, we've lost friends, we've been through college, we've survived through my learning how to cook, and we're still learning to survive while I learn to keep house (ha!), we've learned how to live on a budget, we've had mountain top experiences as well as on-our-face experiences. At times it felt as though the world was crumbling all around us- and yet, we stood firm amongst the rubble. (That would include our house- haha!) We've learned how to communicate with one another- and how to just love life together. We've learned that not everything has to be so serious- just have fun with one another! We've learned that no matter the given situation...there's always something to laugh about.

I can honestly say that these past 10 years- all that has happened, both good and rough, have been the best 10 years of my life. I'm thankful that even though we were so young when we started dating- and not much older when we got married- that this is our story. There is much to be said about "growing up" together. We've changed so much, this is true- but thankfully, the Lord grew us together. I can honestly say that D is my best friend. There is no person on the planet that I'd rather spend time with. I mean, just this past weekend- we were in San Antonio in a CVS. I had more fun being silly together in a drugstore than anywhere else I've ever been! That's how much I just love being with this man! I'm thankful that we are so in sync. We know what the other one is thinking before a word is spoken. There is nothing that he or I could ever do to truly surprise the other one. I am thankful for how the Lord has just knit our hearts together in this way. It is a blessing for which, as hard as I am trying here, there are just no words.

I realize that this is totally a blessing from the Lord. There is no other explanation. I'm thankful for the grace that He has given in blessing us with this happy marriage. I'm thankful for these past 10 years! I am so blessed to be this amazing man's wife! Each year it just keeps getting better and better!!! I love you with all my heart, sweet man! You are my favorite! (and yes, the cheese to my macaroni!) Here's to the rest of our lives!

(Eating at Joe's Crabshack on the River walk in San Antonio- 10 year anniversary trip)