Still Celebrating!

It was May 20, 1994.

Donnie had just picked me up and we were headed out to dinner at our favorite restaurant. It was Friday night and I was exhausted and crabby. I had had a hard day at work . . . my 3rd grade class was loud and hyper in anticipation of school letting out soon and I had one student whose main goal in life was to make my life miserable. I vented to Donnie - who ever so patiently listened to my rant about children not behaving!

By the time we reached the restaurant I was relaxed and happy - ready to spend a nice evening with Donnie. But dinner soon became disastrous when Donnie received the wrong meal and started getting upset with the waiter. He demanded to see the manager . . . and I was ready to crawl under the table in embarrassment! Donnie had never been so picky about a meal before and I couldn't believe he was acting this way.

So, the manager came out and apologized to Donnie. Then he pulled something out of his pocket and asked Donnie if this would help. I looked up to watch the waiter open a box and inside was a diamond ring! Shocked and confused, I looked at Donnie - who was now getting down on one knee as he took the ring from the waiter and asked me to marry him in front of the whole cheering restaurant!

I couldn't hold back the tears as I grabbed Donnie and told him YES! He had completely and totally surprised me as I realized that the whole night had been planned - including him getting upset with the waiter! Everyone in the restaurant stood up and clapped and cheered for us and it was definitely a night to remember - the night we got engaged!

Fifteen months later we got married on August 5, 1995!
It was one of the most perfect days of my life.

"A good marriage is the union of two forgivers."
Ruth Graham

13 years ago today, Donnie and I were married.

We have been through so much together over the years -
the greatest joys and the most devastating hardships . . .

It was Donnie who helped me through the divorce of my parents.

It was Donnie who wiped my brow as I gave birth to Kyle.

It was Donnie who was overwhelmed with me at the miracle of our first child.

It was Donnie who spun me around with joy when we found out we were expecting triplets.

It was Donnie who held the bucket through 7 months of morning sickness.

It was Donnie who held my hand during my C-section - squeezing it with reassurance and love.

It was Donnie who got up with me every hour to feed 3 crying babies.

It was Donnie who drove all night for 14 hours with 4 little ones just so I could make it to my Grandmother's funeral.

It was Donnie who met me at the hospital when Jacob was diagnosed with cancer.

It was Donnie who sat up and cried with me all night the day we entered the cancer world.

It was Donnie who paced the hospital floors with me as we waited through 9 major surgeries with Jacob.

It was Donnie who prayed with me so persistently for Jacob's healing.

It was Donnie who held me so tight as I sobbed hysterically the night that Jacob passed away.

It was Donnie who would lay awake at night talking to me about life, death, Heaven & Jacob.

It was Donnie who made me laugh when I felt like crying.

It was Donnie who filled out the mountain of adoption paperwork with me.

It was Donnie who was just as excited and nervous as I was when we flew to Guatemala to pick up our daughter.

It was Donnie who cried tears of joy with me as we held Allie for the very first time.

It was Donnie who stayed up all night with me on Christmas Eve building bikes, Legos, games tables, roller coasters & kitchens.

It was Donnie who played with our children every night even though he was tired.

It was Donnie who I have kissed good-night for the past 13 years.

It was Donnie whom I have loved with all my heart and soul for the past 16 years!

We have lived a life full of blessings, love & fun! But we've also had our moments of anger and shared a million tears together. Through everything, though - Donnie has been there . . . holding my hand with such loving tenderness. He makes me laugh. He makes me happy. He makes me want to be a better mother and wife. He is my biggest fan and I am his. He makes my heart skip a beat everytime he looks at me. He is my best friend. He works so hard to provide for our family. He is a wonderful father. He makes me fall in love with him more everyday! He is truly the best God-given gift . . . just the perfect man for me!

"To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse. For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."
The Book of Common Prayer: Solemnization of Matrimony

I thank God for my husband everyday . . .
Our marriage is sacred - it is very important to us.
I am so thankful and blessed to have such a happy marriage . . .
I never, ever take that for granted!


"An anniversary is a time to celebrate the joys of today, the memories of yesterday, and the hopes of tomorrow."
Author Unknown

Through the years . . .

Happy 13th Anniversary, Donnie!
I love you - always have and always will!

You can read about the crazy way we met by clicking HERE.

"Our wedding was many years ago. The celebration continues to this day."
Gene Perret

Ending with a scripture . . .

"As the Scriptures say, 'A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”
Ephesians 5:31

Still celebrating,

** We are on vacation this week! Donnie has 10 days off and we are so excited to have him all to ourselves! :) So I am taking a little blogging break as we enjoy some family fun time. This update was scheduled - so hopefully it will post. . . . See you next week!