...At the beginning with you

We celebrated our 11th year anniversary this weekend. I cannot believe that I have known Jason for over 13 years now. It has passed so quickly and I have been blessed more then I ever imagined possible. We have so many wonderful memories in our life together. It hasn't always been easy but, it has always been beyond worth it. I can't wait to see what new memories we will make in the years ahead of us.

We met in the town of York, Nebraska as freshman in college. I was sitting with my cousin in the cafeteria when Jason and his roommate came over to eat at our table. We quickly became very good friends, although he was very shy and I was very engaged (to someone else) at that time. Over the next 5 months my engagement ended. I began dating. Jason dated. Our friendship grew so strong. We even went on double-dates together...only with other people. By February, we spent much of our time together or supporting each other at sporting events. One sweet day, just after Valentines Day, he decided to grab my hand and see what it led to. This was a very bold move for him and I am so glad he did it. I would say that was the beginning of us but really, I loved him before that ever happened. He was an amazing friend. That move just opened me up to loving him in a whole different way.

We loved to go to the movies in Lincoln, when we had money :). We had many dinner dates at Subway, Arby's, or McDonalds. I don't know that those were real "dates". We spent so much time doing that stuff before we were even really a "couple". One of my favorite memories is of spending the day at the park. We would warm-up lasagna that his mom sent back with him or brought up to him, mix up some lemonade or tea, grab some snacks and go. We would eat and play frisbee golf or rollerblade. It was so much fun. Our years at York hold a very special place in both of our hearts, we were forever changed there. We met some wonderful friends that stood next to us at our wedding and made many memories. God had such a different plan for my life. I am so glad He led me to York. There is nothing like sitting outside, on the campus of your college, with someone you love, and praising God together at a devotional.

After two years at York,on the 23rd of July, with lightening flickering off the Mesa's in the panhandle of Oklahoma, in the middle of nowhere, my Jason, very nervously, took me on an evening walk. He was very quiet and serious as we walked. He stopped and got in front of me, hugged me and dropped to one knee, pulled a beautiful ring out of his pocket and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. We were married the following March. We had a beautiful wedding with everyone we loved there supporting us. I believe that their were 300+ at our wedding...standing room only. We were married on my parents anniversary, in the same church that they were married in. It was everything I wanted it to be. My favorite memory of the day is how he looked as I walked in. He was sooo handsome and the smile he gave me is forever melted on my heart. It is one of those things that as it happens you think "I hope I remember this forever".