Love, Sweet Love

It was 7 years ago today that I married the man of my dreams at his parents' home in the beautiful Smokey Mountains.  We had not really told many people, as there were a few snarls of me "moving too fast".  (We met 3 weeks before my divorce was final in October, engaged in March, and married in May!)  OK, so it was fast!  BUT.... it was truly a "God thing".  I will admit that I was getting comfy in my cute little townhouse, living on my own for the first time, and getting some attention from the boys.  lol  It was certainly playing to my insecurities!  However, when I agreed to go on a blind date with a guy that I knew I'd have very little in common with, was the opposite of what I was looking for, but was everything I needed... it was a much higher authority orchestrating this union!  All I knew about him was that he was a Christian, loved to travel the world, was an amazing chef, and was working on a  PhD.  Um, other than God, that was pretty much the extent of our similarities.  I really wasn't in to blonde hair and blue eyes either (I know, crazy, right?).  LOL  It was a "safe" date.  I wasn't looking for a commitment.  A free dinner was coming, so what did I have to lose?  ...... Everything, as I would later learn.

After a nice dinner and a fun round of miniature golf (go ahead, roll your eyes & laugh), I thought 'this guy is really nice, but it's not going any where'.  (And, had he known there was a hole in the bottom of my shoe, he would have been mortified and dumped me on the spot.  LOL)  Funny thing is, he told his mom the exact same thing... "aw, she was nice, but it isn't going anywhere."  What we really meant was, "Aw, s/he's nice and this is going somewhere FAST." 

Our second date was postponed because I got my first bought of strep throat.  (We're just starting to learn that Derek may be a carrier of this lovely disease and also likes to spread it to his children.)  We made up for that lost date with dinner & a home movie.  The more time I spent with him, the more I wanted to spend with him.  He exposed me to a lot of cultures (and foods) I had never known.  (Did I mention the first meal he made for me ended with the most delicious Chocolate Souffle ever?!)   We spent time hiking, UT functions, playing board games, and taking lots of walks.  He met my family at Thanksgiving.  I traveled to Pennsylvania with his family at Christmas.  By the end of the trip, I was pretty certain he was "the one", but internally I fought it pretty hard.  I still had so many "issues" to work through.  (Medication helped with some of those things.  LOL)  When he proposed to me in March, it may have lacked some surprise since I knew he had been ring shopping all day.  And, he was so excited to give me the ring that he didn't even wait until I got into the house.  He proposed right there in the drive way.  Haha! 

So, the wedding itself was perfect.  We put it together in about 6 weeks.  I got my dress, I believe, two weeks before.  It was completely laid back, comfortable, and fun - exactly what we wanted.  Although we really didn't invite many people, we had about 75 show up.  I had some special friends from an internet group I had been a part of for several years (though never met in person) come, as well as many students, friends, and family members.  I walked down the wrap around deck (hand built by D, his dad, brother, and grandfather) in my bare, freshly pedicured feet.  Ahhhhh.  I actually walked across the winterguard floor that we had just used that season to our bluegrass show (it had been hand painted by a friend to look outdoors, meadow-y).  We married in the little garden his grandparents took care of.  And, my dear uncle (a Navy Chaplain) conducted the ceremony.  The day was beautiful!  The wystheria was in bloom.  The wedding cake was perfectly designed by us.  I really could not have asked for a more perfect day (followed by a perfect cruise!). 

My husband is amazing.  It just needs to be said.  I do believe that he was handpicked by God for me.  We are a great team.  We are very different, but balance each other well.  It has been a fun journey so far!  We've made a beautiful family with the addition of our daughters and I truly could not be any happier!  Happy Anniversary, D!