7 Years of wedded Bliss!

Today marks 7 years from the day Dave and I officially started our family.   It is crazy to think it has been a whole 7 years and at the same time it feels like it should be a lot longer than that (in a good way).

Dave and I met and started dating 10 years ago.  Where does time go?  It seems like just yesterday that Dave was coming back after lunch break and noticed there was a new girl in his HS drafting class...me.    I guess he was a little stunned because all he could say was "who are you?"   to which I replied "who are you?"

I couldn't get over how familiar he looked but I honestly couldn't recall ever seeing him before that moment.    It was all downhill from there.   

We were kindof rivals I guess you would say...competeing for the attention of the class.   The class thought we hated each other and so did I until I realized I was spending all my time with him.   When I wasn't with him I was talking about him and wishing I was with him.    I know, I know, who meets and falls in love with their soul mate at 17?    

Those of you who know David know how infectious his personality is... He is always doing or saying some crazy thing to shock people.   He loves to make people happy.   

One day Dave came to see me with a surprise in each pocket.    He asked me which pocket he should empty first.   When he pulled his hand out of his 1st pocket he had a baby chick.   In the other pocket he had two more.    We spent most of  the summer raising and collecting rare chickens and planting anything that would grow in my parents back yard.   One morning Dave woke me up at 5:00 am and drug me in my pj's to the chicken coop in the dark  just to hear our roosters crow.   When all was said and done, we had 12 chickens,  2 ducks, and 2 bunnies.   

It was kindof funny because I knew he was someone I would definately want to marry, but that was just not the stage of life we were in.    We were mostly best friends for the next year until he left on his mission.   It was one of the hardest and happiest days ever.   Dave and I wrote letters for two years while he was in Russia... I seriously doubt there was a better missionary in the world.   Through letters it felt like I served a mission with him.   Not that I didn't date anyone else, but there was never anyone like David.  

When Dave came home I teased him that he had to go on at least three dates before he could marry me.  I had a chance to date a little in college and I thought he needed to see what else was out there too, but he never would.    

We had done plenty of courting so we didn't waste much time.   He came home in November, we were engaged before Christmas, and married in March.   

It has been an amazing 7 years.   I can't believe all that we have acomplished together in 7 short years.   We have had three kids.   (Who are deffinately our most amazing acomplishments!)   We have moved 5 times, 2 of which were across country.    Countless jobs, callings and hobbies.  A ton of schooling, running a 1/2 marathon, trying out a triathlon, and our latest adventure...opening a business! 

Dave still makes me laugh, He knows exactly how to get under my skin, and no matter what happens, he will always be the love of my life!   Happy Anniversary!   I can't wait to see what the next 7 years will bring.