12 Years and Counting

Tomorrow marks our 12 year Anniversary,running away with Beau was the best thing I ever did aside from going to Jr. Prom with him(our first date). I would say I am so lucky but luck has nothing to do with it. We have worked hard to make it work. We have both improved ourselves, we have fought, screamed(me more than him), and worked through things. There were times I wanted to leave, times he wanted to leave and times I couldn't believe how lucky I was that he stayed. I still remember the first time I saw him, the first words he said to me, the first words I replied, and what we were wearing. I remember all the times he attempted to talk to me, all the times I blew him off. I remember how he stuttered while he struggled for the words to ask me to Prom and how let him sweat it out for an hour before I said yes. I remember what he looked like sitting on my couch while waiting for me to finish getting ready, what it felt like the first time he put his arm around me. I remember our first dance, our first hug and our first kiss. I remember when he asked me to be his girl friend and I made him him for it for a week before I said yes. I remember saying yes. I remember the moment I knew I loved him, I remember the moment I knew I wanted to marry him, I remember the moment I knew I couldn't live without him. I remember when it physically hurt to be away from him. I remember the day I walked into his house and he said "Lets get married!" I replied "I told you yes." To which he responded "like today, right now." I didn't even hesitate, we eloped and said "I do". I remember missing him while he was away at Basic Training, I remember seeing him in his dress blues for the first time, I remember driving from CA to TX 36 weeks pregnant so he could be there when I had Daniel, and living in a tiny, gross apartment because that was all we could afford. I remember the look on his face the moment he saw his tiny baby boy. I remember the way he looked at me when we were kneeling across from each other in the temple a year later, being sealed as a family together forever. I remember the moment we found out we were having Emma, and the look on his face when we found out it was a girl. I remember waking him up at 4 a.m. because it was time to push. I remember him deciding we should wait 3 years before having another baby and the moment God sent Nate 6 months later. I remember him being supportive when I cried "I just had a baby, how will I be able to do 2 this close together?". I remember when we decided on the name Nate. I remember his face the moment he saw Nathan, the moment he brought Emma in to see Nathan and the first time Daniel saw Nathan. I remember all the late night feedings, all of the endless diapers, all the times he got up with sick kids, all the early mornings. I remember the times I didn't want to go to church and he encouraged, all the times he didn't want to go and I encouraged. I remember him prayerfully asking about life decisions. I remember all the blessing he has given me and our children over the last 12 years. I remember him encouraging me to go to school and cheering me on when I thought each new semester was going to be the end of me. I remember the moment we knew something was wrong with Daniel, I remember the day we found out what it was, the moment he decided to go back into the Air Force so he could give his family more than what we had. I remember how hard it was for him to be away from us, I remember how it felt to have him back home. Everyday he kisses me goodbye, every night he kisses me goodnight, and there is never any doubt that he loves me. He plays with the kids, coaches Nate's football team, helps me with chores,helps me with Daniel and is always there for me. It has been an amazing 12 years, and I can't wait to grow old together.