16

In honor of celebrating 16 years with my one & only today, here are 16 things I love about him, our family, and our life together:

1. You coach Sis's soccer team (and have for 6 years now).  I have an enormous amount of pride for you as a father watching you take that leadership role in her life.

2. I love how your favorite cereal is Fruity Pebbles.

3. When I met you, you were in uniform. It still gives me shivers down my spine to see you in cammo.

4. Our youngest runs to you, yelling, "DaDa!" every time he sees you - that is pure love.


5. I love how gruff your voice is after you watch a soccer game.


6. You love to read.  I love to read.  Our kids love to read.


7. I used to not want to fly overseas to travel.  Then I traveled to France, Italy, Ireland, & England with you.  When can we go back?


8. The first meal I ever made you was lasagna.  To this day it is still my favorite meal to make for you.


9. Our middle looks up to you - he loves to talk about sharks, hunting, fishing, boating, dinosaurs...all boy stuff.  Thank goodness he has you to discuss those important topics with.


10. As much as I tease you, it is incredibly endearing to see the loyalty you have to one team. 16+ soccer jerseys?  or is it more?


11. I will always remember your reactions to each of our children's births.  You were a rock for me, and a puddle of emotions for them.  love.


12. A gorgeous ring for my first Mother's Day.  A diamond strand for my 30th.  Matching earrings for  Christmas.  You always surprise me with such great taste.


13. You look good driving a truck.


14. I am my happiest when we are cruising Lake LBJ on the boat with the kids.  


15. You like to laugh at me.  That's ok.  I'm happy I can still make you laugh.


16. People still talk about how fun our wedding was.  It was one of the best nights of my life.


16 years ~ 9 address ~ 14 cars ~ 21 vacations ~ 3 children ~ a lifetime of memories


I love you.

15 years

15 years ago today, on a very hot-113-degree evening, I married Matt.  I was 21 at the time, he was 22, and everyone thought we were crazy to get married so young.  I was in the middle of getting my Bachelor's and unbeknownst to me, some thought I would not finish school (ha- little did they know!!).  It was a wonderful evening, one that went by way too fast, but one that I will cherish a lifetime.

So 15 years is a long time..... where have we been?  what have we done?

1996: At the end of our "wanna-be-a-cowboy" phase; living in a 400 sq feet apartment; still in school (ha!), and learning how to be married (the hard way).

1997: Both working at least 2 jobs each; both attending school (double ha!); and attending lots of friends wedding this year?!

1998: Look who graduated now (it never could have been done without the support of my hubby); a big move to Dallas to look for a career; saying goodbye to Illinois

1999: both found great jobs; meeting fun friends; and having fun travels thanks to dual incomes (whoo-hoo); we went to Mexico and Colorado that summer

2000: Our first house; our first dog; we're really the established married couple now; what's next?

2001: Parenthood!  Along came our sweet daughter and life has been forever changed for the better.

2002: And we added another Darling to the clan; parenthood times two was fast and furious.

2003: But we still found time to enjoy life together; Our first cruise (sans children)

2004: Again, a busy year filled with raising 2 kids the best we could; Summer included our first camping trip, a Wiggles concert, and a fun wedding

2005: 10 years! Wow!!  A special trip to the Big Apple for our 10 year wedding anniversary

2006: And we followed that fun with a family trip to see the Big Mouse!

2007: Our vacation destinations have improved, as we have been to Costa Rica, Cabo, France, & Italy; I have found a fantastic traveling companion in my hubby.

2008: A Big year for us with a big move, a European vacation, and a confirmation of our faith.

2009: Little Bubba completed our family.

2010: A busy year filled with all the energy of 3 amazing children!

15 years.  Wow. I am more in love with this man today as the father of my children and best friend, than I was the day I married him.  Back then, I never could have imagined how amazing these past 15 years would be.  So full of memories and sweet moments.  I am completed fulfilled.  Thank you God for being the ultimate matchmaker and mapping out the wonderful life we have had so far.  I can't wait to see what more there is to come.