A Very Happy Anniversary!

Thirteen isn't an extra special number unless you're becoming a teenager or believe in superstition.  But thirteen is oh, so special when I consider it is the number of years I have been married to a very wonderful man.  I've enjoyed reminiscing today, about how we met, our courtship, and our wedding day.  So, here are a few memories that came to mind:

• We met at Post Falls convention back in '93.  He was 15, soft spoken with a friendly smile and bright blue eyes.  I thought he was so sweet.  I said as much to my aunt Mary Ann and that's all it took.  She arranged our introduction the very next day.  Thank you Mary!
• He FINALLY asked for my address at a convention later that summer and I remember the thrill of receiving my first letter TWO MONTHS later! Gasp!  I thought it would never come!  But it was the first of many and I still have them.  Warms my heart to think of the time he spent - his penmanship was perfect.
• Then we discovered we could talk on the phone and the letter writing was over :)
• I remember the evening he proposed.  Being the I-really-have-to-think-it-through person that I am, I hesitated.  What was I thinking?!  But he patiently waited and I am so thankful.
• We had big plans.  He was going to be an optometrist.  Me a teacher.  We would have a family, but no need to rush that as we were only 19 and 20.  We would finish school, travel, have a cute little house in the country.  But most of all we would be happy together.
• Our wedding day was much like this day, thirteen years later.  Rain, rain, and more rain.  The sun peeked out for a few moments allowing for a short outdoor photo session.  But it was a beautiful day inside, full of family, friends, and LOTS of smiling! 
• If I had to do it over again, I'd do it all the same.  Only this time I'd have someone else do my hair.  My sweet, patient husband-to-be almost lost his cool when he realized I was still doing my hair 10 minutes after the wedding was scheduled to begin!

Now, ALL these years later, I'm realizing things didn't turn out quite like I expected.  No, they've turned out much better than I could have ever dreamed or hoped for.  I am a lucky woman to be surrounded by the love and laughter of a wonderful husband and three beautiful boys!

We had a nice dinner around our own table tonight and then went out to the Snake River Brewery for their famous S'mores Ala Mode.  The boys had fun celebrating with us and dug in with spoons, fists, and elbows!  It's been a very happy anniversary!

My anniversary gift!