Today is our 10 year wedding anniversary! We've actually been together for 15 years, but married for 10 of those years.
How we met:
We both worked at a Ponderosa Steakhouse together when I was in high school. Joe was a waiter and I worked the buffet. We worked a lot of the same nights, and eventually we started talking a little after work. Sometimes he even rubbed my feet while we waited for the managers to check our sections so we could leave. We have a LOT of fun memories from ours days at Ponderosa. There was just something about that place...many couples got together working there and many of them are still together today!
Our first date:
I was 16, about to turn 17, and he was 3 years older than me. One night after work he asked me if I wanted to go get some soup from Denny's with him. He said, "I'll buy if you drive". So, we went to Denny's together. I was so quiet and didn't really know what to talk about, and he kept joking with me about how quiet I was. But he thought it was cute the way I ordered chocolate milk (which became kind-of an inside joke for awhile). We both agreed that we didn't want to get into a long term relationship, and we'd just go out sometimes. But fate had something else in mind, because that was 15 years ago and we've been together ever since!
(Us at one of the many football games at my high school- I was on the poms squad and had to perform at half-time every home game. That's why I have sequins all over me, I don't normally make a habit of wearing sequins! LOL)How he proposed:
In the summer of 1994, we took a trip to Jamaica. It was a beautiful place and a wonderful trip! There were several activities during the day, and beach parties in the evenings. One night while we were at one of the resort evening parties, Joe and I wandered off to the edge of the water. We sat on some rocks that jutted out into the water to talk and watch the sunset. Just as the sun was setting, Joe turned around, got on his knee and proposed! Of course I said yes! We didn't tell anyone right away, because we knew we would wait a few years before actually having the wedding, but we did ask my sister to take a couple pictures of us by where he asked me. She didn't know the significance of the photos, but we did!
(The scanned image above makes my eye look really funky for some reason, but you get the general idea! lol)
(snorkling in Jamaica, 1994)
Our wedding day:
Our wedding took place on October 4, 1997 in a park. I wore my mother's wedding dress, and my sister's veil. We were blessed with a beautiful, sunny, seventy-degree day for our outdoor ceremony. We did have a few little "mishaps", such as...
* the photographer showing up WAY early when my hair was still wet and we were still setting up and getting ready.
* Then while I was getting ready, someone had put my veil on the halogen lamp so it wouldn't get wrinkled. Forgetting it was there, my sister walked in and turned on the light. Within minutes the veil was smoking, but luckily only the underside was burnt, so it didn't show.
* And then at the beginning of the ceremony, the music was our cue to walk down the aisle, so we waited...and waited...and waited. It was then we realized the stereo system wasn't working. Our guests, also realizing what had happened began to giggle. So, we walked down the aisle in silence, and still had a wonderful wedding.
These are all just a few unique memories to add to our special day, and give us something to look back on and laugh!
The reception was held in a building there at the park. We had a BLAST! It was SO much fun with so many of our family members and friends. Both the wedding and reception were simple and modest, nothing too over the top or fancy...just the way we like it.
The "honeymoon":
We decided not to take a honeymoon. Instead, we stayed overnight at a nearby Bed & Breakfast, and used the money we would have spent on a honeymoon to put a down payment on buying our first house.
After the wedding recap:
late 1997/early 1998: We bought our first house.
2000: Our 1st son was born
2003: We sold the house and bought our current house on 10 wooded acres. We both have always wanted some property, so this was so exciting for us.
2004: Our 2nd son was born
2007: We celebrate 10 married years together (and the additional 5 years leading up to marriage too!)
(early 2006)
(Summer 2007)
What a great adventure it has been so far. I am excited to see what the next 60 or so years holds for us!
I will end for now with the poem that was read by my good friend at our wedding.
The Tapestry of Marriage
Marriage is a weaving together of two lives
A creation of passion, artistry and soul
Never imagine that the tapestry of marriage is complete
For as long as you live and breathe
It will continue to evolve into patterns more intricate and more marvelous than either of you could render by yourself
And so this work, this weaving, this marriage
Should never be taken for granted, but should be honored, nurtured and embraced
May your marriage be an ever-growing, ever-changing work of art
That weaves together and apart that which is true and alive in both of you.
-author unknown
This weekend, we shall celebrate! Be back soon...don't wait up for us ;)
(Watch for a new updated photo soon- we hope to get our picture taken as a couple for our 10 year anniversary within the next week.)
And if you happen to read this, Joe, Happy 10th Anniversary! I love you!
