The Crazy Way We Met

The Crazy Way We Met

Hello friends,

Today I am participating in Marriage Monday . . . where the topic is "The Crazy Way We Met" . . .

I have known my husband pretty much my whole life. In fact, I was 9 months old the first time we met. Our parents were friends - which means that Donnie and I spent quite a bit of time together as babies - even napping in the same crib! Our moms thought we were so cute together and often joked about us growing up and getting married. Little did they know . . . Here are some pictures of us together at my 2nd birthday party with my brother, Steve.



And here is a picture of our first kiss. I am a little mortified about the fact that I was so aggressive . . . but I always joke that I kissed Donnie first! :) Definitely love at first sight!



About a year later, our families went separate ways . . . moving to different states. However, our moms stayed in touch with one another. Then when I was in the second grade, my dad got stationed in the same town as Donnie's family so once again I saw Donnie often . . . Only this time he was more interested in being friends with my brother and I was just someone to chase and harass! :) Needless to say - being the prissy girly-girl that I was - I didn't want anything to do with BOYS and I was annoyed with the fact that they wanted to shoot my Barbies with their GI Joe men! But Donnie was at our house often . . . definitely a part of my childhood. Here is a picture of us at my brothers' 6th birthday party.



Since my dad was in the military, we moved again when I was in the 5th grade - but our moms continued to keep in touch. I can remember visiting with Donnie's family several times over the years - but the last time we saw them was when I was 13.

Fast-forward 7 years . . . It's Christmas time . . . I'm 20 years old . . . going to college . . . just coming off of a 4-year relationship with my high-school sweetheart . . . when my parents get a Christmas card from Donnie's mom telling us that Donnie had joined the military and was recently stationed at the same base as my dad. He was living in the same town! (I look back now and realize what a "God-thing" that was . . . out of all the military bases all over the world - Donnie ended up at the same one as my dad!) So my dad looked Donnie up on base and invited him over for dinner. I can remember my parents telling my brother and I that Donnie was coming for dinner and they wanted us to be there. My brother was thrilled to see his childhood friend . . . and I have to admit that I was a little curious to see Donnie after all these years.

I will never forget that day in January when I saw Donnie again . . . Boy, had he grown up and immediately I felt so attracted to him. We talked all night . . . and I was amazed at how easily our conversation flowed. It didn't take us long to realize that we had a lot in common and we wanted to see each other again.

We spent many nights on the phone getting to know each other . . . and I can remember staying up till 2am every night just talking about life . . . our hopes, our dreams. We started hanging out together often - only as friends - but we always had such a great time.

“True love is friendship -- caught on fire.”
Author Unknown

Then one night while we were talking on the phone, Donnie said,
"Let's go out tomorrow night - on a date."

I gulped. A date. That was different than just hanging out as friends - yet it was what I wanted more than anything.

I can't tell you how nervous I was . . . but we couldn't have had a better 1st date. We just went to the movies . . . but I could feel the excitement and knew that we had taken things to a new level when Donnie reached to hold my hand in the theater. Our date ended at Dairy Queen where we had our first kiss. Needless to say, ice cream got all in my hair . . . but you couldn't wipe the smile off my face and I couldn't deny the JOY in my heart, the butterflies in my stomach and the racing of my heart. It was official . . . I was falling in love! :) That was March 29, 1992 and we have been together ever since.

Here's a little trip down memory lane. It's hard to believe that most of these pictures were taken about 15-16 years ago . . . and they aren't the best quality since they were scanned . . . but they sure do make me smile as I remember that time with Donnie. Time sure does fly by . . . but 16 years and 5 kids later I am still filled with so much love for my husband. Please excuse the big hair . . . my hair is naturally curly - so I did the "big hair thang" quite easily! I know it is a little scary! :)

We've been married for almost 13 years now . . . and Donnie still makes my heart race ;) He is the best God-given gift . . . the best husband . . . my best friend and love . . . my soul mate in life and I love him more everyday. I feel so blessed to be so incredibly happy in my marriage.

But we have certainly had our share of difficult times!
In 12 years together we have faced so many trials and hardships . . .

my parents' divorce
the death of 4 grandparents
3 moves in 5 years
triplets and many sleepless nights
childhood cancer
& the loss of our 6 year old son

Yes, we have shared our moments of anger and cried a million tears together. But the hard times have only brought us closer. And I have learned that a good marriage needs 5 things . . .

friendship,
fun,
respect,
faith,
but most of all, LOVE!

And despite the hard times, we have never lost sight of our blessings . . .

our faith
a God who loves us
5 beautiful children
a family who supports us
& our love for each other.

I am so thankful that our families kept in touch over the years.
I am so thankful for the crazy way we met when we were babies!

And I thank God for my husband every single day . . .

"What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined... to strengthen each other... to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories."
~ George Eliot

To read some more crazy love stories or link your own "Crazy Way You Met," please visit Chrysalis.


Ending with a scripture . . .

"Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions."
1 John 3:18

So thankful for the crazy way we met,