It’s been 11 years since I walked down the aisle.  11 years since my father took my hand and “gave me” to Roy.  It’s been the best 11 years of my life!

Well, 12 1/2 years really, because the time before our marriage, our “courtship,” was pretty rockin’ too!

The first day we met, Roy told me I smelled good.  I am sure I blushed and tried to brush it off, but he persisted and asked me what kind of perfume I was wearing.  I told him, and he continued to flirt with me.  (about six years later he gave me that same perfume for Christmas, not sure if he remembered or just smelled some perfume at the store and happened to still like it.)  I tell him this all the time, though I am not sure if he believes me, but I thought he was joking when he “asked me out.”  And let me be clear, he didn’t come out and say, “Do you want to go out with me?”  He would always tease me, saying something to the effect of, “So, when are you going to go out with me?”  He was younger than me, and frankly I thought if I actually gave him a specific answer, I would find out that he was just trying to pass the long hours of working retail.

Anyways, we finally made plans, and, wouldn’t you know it, he was late for our very first date!  To be fair, the street sign was turned around and that caused some confusion for him, but all I thought was… “Oh, my gosh!  I am being stood up!”  But before too long, he rang the doorbell and off we went.  Our first date went the way of many first dates, I am sure.  I think we both felt a bit awkward, but eventually things settled down, and we watched Starship Troopers.  (my pick; to be fair, Roy did ask me if I wanted to watch something a bit more “romantic.”)

The next few dates were increasingly good - kind of a weak word, but Roy impressed me greatly, without putting forth a whole lot of effort.  And let me explain that a bit, I was very impressed with his manners, his sense of humor, how easy he was to be with.  I never felt like he was showing off, he was just being who he was and that was one of the things that made me fall in love with him.

I remember going up the escalator at a mall in Georgetown and knowing that I would fall in love with him.

I remember going down the escalator at another mall and falling in love with Roy.

I remember giving birth to our three younger boys.  I was exhausted beyond words, and I told Roy that I couldn’t do this, I was too tired.  And he smoothed the hair off my sweaty brow, gave me a kiss, and said that YES, I could do this.  I could do anything, and for just a moment I felt like I could do anything… as long as he was by my side.

I remember buying our first house together and then doing what we could to make it a home.  The painting, the hot water heater flooding the laundry room and dripping down into the kitchen.  The mess he made in our bedroom when he decided to make me a little niche in the wall.  Joe started school as we lived in that house, and I remember how sad I was the day we packed everything up and walked out of our first home for the last time.

I remember our first night in our new home - Addi got sick, and we didn’t have any medicine for him.  We didn’t have much - most of our things were still in the car or in storage!  But we got through it.  This house was a lot bigger than our first house, so the painting took a lot longer, and I was pregnant with Hayden this time.  While we painted the kitchen - and I say “we” with a grain of salt here - Roy never said anything as he moved around the kitchen painting like a beast, and I sat in the corner and put about twelve coats on the same small section of wall.

I remember Addi starting kindergarten, Corey then Joe starting middle school, Corey starting high school, Joe starting high school, Addi starting middle school, Hayden going to preschool, finding out I was pregnant with Dean, Hayden going to kindergarten, Dean’s first steps,  teaching Corey how to drive, Dean’s first words,  the first time Corey drove away after he got his license, I remember first dates, first break-ups, and first heartbreaks.  I remember the fights, the laughter, and coming to believe that even though the bad times might feel really bad at the moment, the good times will always outweigh the bad, because we are together.

When I met Roy, I didn’t know if I still believed in true love.  I didn’t know if I believed in forever, but after 12 1/2 years of Roy by my side, I can honestly say not a day has gone by that I haven’t loved him with all that I am.  Through the good times and the bad.  Even if it’s Roy that I am mad at, I have never doubted that I loved him with all my heart, that 11 years ago when I said “I do,” I made the best decision of my life.

Roy - the past 11 years of marriage have been the greatest adventure for me.  You have made me smile, you have made me laugh, and, yes, a few times you have made me cry.  When you put your arms around me I know that nothing can hurt me.  I know that as long as you are by my side, I can do anything.

I love you!  HAPPY 11th ANNIVERSARY!