I can't believe that I have been married for 18 years. Holy Moly!
I was blog-stalking reading my good friend and came across a post she wrote about her hubby on their anniversary. It was so sweet and told their story through pictures. Right up my alley! So I decided to copy her. Thanks Shay!
I don't have the best memory but I do love pictures. They say "a picture is worth a thousand words", right? Here's a little tribute [our entire marriage together in a nutshell] to the amazing man that I am lucky enough to spend my life with. XOXO!
In
1995- Brett was the most gorgeous, thoughtful, kind guy I had ever met. I'm sure our views of this year vary greatly. LOL But this year was proof that if you are at the right place at the right time- miracles can happen. I was so in love with him from the beginning!
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| Brett took Shay to Homecoming Dance at USU |
August 6, 1996- We dated for an entire year before we were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. Brett was so patient in our 6 months of dating and 6 months of engagement. My family adored him and I'm sure everyone felt that I didn't deserve such a perfect guy.
1997- We both worked full time and Brett graduated with his Bachelors Degree. We celebrated our 1st anniversary.
1998- Is kind of a blur of ups and lots of downs and figuring out how to live together. Marriage was not what either of us expected. (Maybe I should say that I'm sure Brett wondered what he got himself into.) I was young and mean. {at least I'm not in denial} Brett was always so patient and loving and willing to forgive. I am a very lucky lady! But--- we sure look gorgeous here.
1999- From the outside looking in- We made a pretty gorgeous, perfect couple. But truth be told- year three was rough. Meshing lives together, working, going to school and learning to communicate was not something I was good at. I have no idea how I managed to get such a good man. He taught me a lot of what married life really should be like. So glad we made it!
2000- Man! we are a cute couple!!!! This year we started to figure things out. Brett worked on his Master's Degree and worked full time while I worked as well to help pay for stuff. We figured out that marriage is hard but worth
fighting working for. We also found out we were pregnant with our first child.
2001- A baby girl joined our family this year. Even though I was impatient waiting- in hindsight- it was the best thing we could have done- to figure out US before we brought someone else into the equation. We were tired [lack of sleep], poor and happy! Brett finished up his Master's Degree this year. What a smart man AND no- I still do not call him "Master"! LOL
2002- Life was good- requiring adjustments along the way but good. Brett has always done everything possible to work hard to provide for our cute little family. He always amazes me how he manages to juggle life, money, marriage and fatherhood. He does such a good job at it!
2003- Our family was joined by a baby Boy. We were cramped in a tiny condo but content!
2004- This year brought lots of changes to our family. We sold our little condo and stayed with family for a while. Then we bought a home to fix up only to find out Brett got a new job and had to leave for training for 6 months in Georgia. Brett is so handy, smart, brave, hard-working, diligent, and handsome. We missed him tons!!! After his training, we sold our home and moved across the country to Fargo, ND. This was the first time I ever lived anywhere but Utah. But I was so excited for a new Adventure. I would follow Brett anywhere! I was so grateful to be living under the same roof again.
2005- Life was good- enjoying our new home, community, friends and each other.
2006- This year, we bought a home and had another baby girl join our family. Brett worked hard even when he wasn't appreciated by his bosses. I was so grateful that he supported me in being a stay-at-home mom. He always told me how he worked to support me in my
more important job. He is such a good man!
2007- I think this was about the time that life got fun. Let me explain- Up to this point I was a
little lot uptight and controlling and quite a party pooper. I have had tiny kids for 6 years which is a hard job even if you have an amazing Hubby who helps around the house, supports you and does more than his fair share of household duties. But I think I started to lighten up a bit this year. (or Brett may still be waiting for this to happen- let's not ask him. ;) We had AMAZING friends and tons of good examples in Fargo. Couples that taught me by example and counsel to enjoy my Hubby and my life. Thank you, Brett for a WONDERFUL life! XOXO
2008- We added a little Glory to our family this year. We did lots of simple, fun things together. Brett is still as gorgeous as the day I met him. Maybe even more.
2009- This is the year that I started experimenting with my hair. I went long, short, black, brown, red, layered, curly, straight. I was brave. Looking back- Brett was too. ;) He was always telling me how beautiful I looked no matter what color or length I adorned that month. [even when pictures might proof otherwise. LOL] I am so lucky to have a man that loves me and still finds me attractive after 13 years.
I also started blogging this year. As I look back at it- I am truly amazed at what a perfect, fun, loving, silly, safe, happy life I have. I owe that ALL to Brett!
2010- What a perfect little family we made together! Brett is very patriotic, a good citizen and defender of truth and right. He is such a good example to our children and others!
2011- This year, we made plans to move out of the country to Bogota, Columbia. We were nervous but excited! It is because Brett is a smart, trust-worthy, Spanish-speaking, kind, hard-worker that opportunities like this are open to him.
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| sidenote- I went back blonde because that's what Brett said he liked the best |
2012- This year our lives were turned upside down. Our hopes of our new Adventure were dashed when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in April. I went through 4 rounds of Chemo and 16 rounds of Herceptin. I ended up having a bilateral mastectomy in August. I lost all my beautiful, long blonde hair that Brett had waited for a couple years to get back. ;) I lost my "womanly" figure- at least what was left of it after 4 kids. But somehow Brett never stopped loving me and telling me how beautiful I was. I think he may have fudged the truth a bit this year but I love him for it. ;)
I can't even tell you how much I appreciated Brett this year. He was there every step of the way. If he was ever fearful or angry- he never showed it. He never worried about the cost or the time or the ugliness we faced. He was my rock of faith and love and laughter. I couldn't have made it through this year without him.
2013- This year we started a new adventure but not where we had originally planned. Brett's job took us across the country to Helena, MT. Brett has such great faith. His favorite saying to me when I'm stressed out about life is "We'll find Zion, We will!!" I always roll my eyes at him when he says it but he's right. He is laid back and trusting in the Lord's plan. He is such a great example to me. I can't say enough how much I don't deserve him but am forever grateful he is in my life. What a gorgeous man!
2014- This year has also been an adventure. [Is there anything but Adventure in our lives these days? LOL] First, we decided to build a home together. Don't they say that "building a house is one of the most stressful things you can do with another person"? It was stressful at times, for sure. But I think God having us survive a year of a Cancer-fight made it seem like a piece of cake. ;) Don't mistake this that I was a angel the whole time (I know the picture below can be deceiving. LOL) BUT Brett was. Where did I find
this man???
Over 19 years of being together- we have learned (perhaps some of us are still learning) to have faith, have fun, be silly, love each other, laugh and not sweat the small stuff (some of the time).
Wow! That's quite the life we've had together!
Happy 18th Anniversary, Honey! I love you more than I could ever tell you. XOXO Thanks for the amazing life you have allowed me to share with you. I'll be the first to admit- I don't deserve you. But I'm glad you're mine. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. Luv you forever!
P.S. Not that anyone will ever ask me but my advice to those that want a happy marriage- "No one said it would be easy but it
will be worth it. Even with all the ups and downs- enjoy the moments!".
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