Happy 10th Anniversary

Happy 10th Anniversary -- to me!!

Ten years ago today I married my husband. We have had our shares of ups and downs (don't we all?) and somehow we come out on top of it and I couldn't have asked for a better husband!

It all started in 1997 (this is always an argument because I always tell people it was 1996 but then he pulls out MY scrapbook and proves me wrong!) when I was at a church picnic. My husband and I started talking a little (click here to read more on that story). My mother-in-law (of course she wasn't my mother-in-law back then) would invite me over for dinner and "conveniently" her son would show up too. One thing led to another and soon we were spending more and more time together. It wasn't long before I was attending family get togethers with him. Although I have a large family (3 sisters and 2 brothers), my family doesn't live close so having this family to be with on holidays and such was enjoyable for me and I looked forward to them.

One morning, on a cold January morning 10 years ago, I got a call, waking me up. It was Mr. Man asking what I was doing.

Me: "Sleeping."

Mr. Man: "well, can you come over? Don't shower, just throw on some sweats and come over. I need to talk to you."

Me: "Is everything ok? Are you ok?"

Mr. Man: "Yes. Everything is just fine. Just hurry. And seriously do NOT take time to shower and get ready. Just come over."

Me: "But, can I..."

Mr. Man: (Interrupting me) "No. Just hurry."

click....

So, not sure what I was going into I threw some jeans and a sweatshirt on and headed over to his house. When I got there, I rang the doorbell.

No answer.

Ding dong.

No answer.

Ding dong. knock, knock, knock.

I hear hollering from inside to come in.

I walk in. Mr. Man hollers "Stay there. I will be right out."

Me: "What is going on?"

Mr. Man: "I will be there in one second."

Me in all my nervousness can't even "make myself comfortable", instead I am pacing and pacing around his living room. All kinds of things are going through my head, but none were of what was about to happen.

Pretty soon he emerges from the back bedroom. Not his room, but the spare bedroom - so I immediately know something is up! He is wearing a suit and carrying a bouquet of roses. Keep in mind that this guy was a carpenter when I met him, I didn't even know he owned a suit. He cleaned up quite nicely. Also keep in mind that it is 8:00 or so in the morning...

The rest is somewhat of a blur to me. I may have even passed out. But I do know he said some goopy stuff about spending the rest of his life with me. I didn't expect it at all. It was a total and complete surprise to me. I must have said yes to becoming his wife, but I have no specific recollection of that moment!

After I regained composure, he asked me if I was ready here and now. WHA?? HUH??

Mr. Man: "Seriously. Let's go get married right now. My dad can marry us."

Me: "You're kidding, right?!"

Mr. Man: "No. I'm not kidding at all."

After some talking and him calling his dad we decided to wait. We didn't get married that day, but decided it might be fun to get married on his parents 50th wedding anniversary -- which was only 19 days away.

So, yes folks, I planned a wedding in 19 days.

And succeeded!

We paid for our own wedding with a little help from my mom and from his parents. We had a nice wedding and spent about $1,000.00. We didn't have a huge reception which saved some money. I found my dress on a clearance rack and spent $80.00. My sister-in-law played the piano and Mr. Man's niece (now my niece too!) sang. It was beautiful and I have no regrets.

As has now become a family joke** -- if I had to do it all over again would I still choose my Mr. Man? Yes indeed I would!

**(one of Mr. Man's uncles, who doesn't particularly care for me, asked Mr. Man if he could do it all over would he still choose me to marry and then this uncle was shocked when Mr. Man said yes he would pick me again! So we like to joke about that with each other just for fun!)

HAPPY 10th ANNIVERSARY TO THE LOVE OF MY LIFE