Tuesday, December 9, 2008

16 Years Ago Today . . .


. . . Mark kissed me for the first time. And I'm so glad he did. That kiss propelled our friendship into romance. He is my best friend and my love. I am amazed and happy with how we've grown together as a couple and I'm thrilled we have a family and life together. I love how we continue to grow and develop in our relationship and in how we live our lives. I am happier than I've ever been, because somehow, amazingly, it keeps getting better. I really feel that we are living more and more authentically all the time and I've never felt more whole, secure, and loved. We recognize that we are incredibly lucky and we truly are extremely grateful.

He shows me in so many ways, little and big, how much I mean to him and I hope I do the same. I think of many of the things we've been through and the way we've supported each other and continue to do so. I'm so grateful for the way he loves and supports me through so much: the miscarriage of our first pregnancy, several moves, welcoming our beautiful babies to our family, medical school for him, graduate school for me, a horrid depression, residency, deciding to homeschool, deciding to walk away from traditional medicine and start our own business, setting up our business, dealing with the death of my father, helping my mother with her transition . . . and all the little things that go along with life in general. I'm so loved and so grateful.

Just after midnight (we're night owls), Mark said, "Hey, Happy Anniversary!" and we smiled at the significance of the date and talked about our memories of our first kiss and the "trouble" it's gotten us into! :) As we sat together on the couch, cuddling and watching a movie, I felt his wedding ring on his finger as we held hands and said, "I'm so glad we're married." I really am. We dated for about a year and then were apart for 3 and a half years and that was REALLY hard. I'm glad we're married, have a family together, homeschool, have a business in our home, enjoy hobbies together, enjoy every day together . . . I can't get enough of him and I know he feels the same. I'm so glad he kissed me 16 years ago today.







11 comments:

Dr. Mark said...

I'm pretty glad things happened the way they did, too! Now you've got me tearing up here. Good thing I don't have a patient on the table right now!

It's been a joy to be a part of all we've been through in the past 16 years.

I love you!

Dr. Mark said...

And, uh, did you have to pick those pictures?! ;)

Lindsay said...

Oh...that is awesome! Congrats guys! Let's see, good thing Scott and I didn't give up after our first kiss...cause...hahaha, it was bad! Not because we are bad kissers, but because I was nervous and made it awkward!! He he. And Mark, the pictures look great! Thing 2 really looks like Stacy in your engagement picture (or the black and white one).

Em said...

AHHHH! Great pictures! "By small and simple things..."

kristenhcubed said...

See, that just goes to show you how much a little kiss can lead to. I think the pictures are great!

J Fo said...

Congrats! I'm impressed that you even remember the date! I love the picture timeline.

Boquinha said...

Awwww, I'm so glad you like it, Sweetie. I love you, too. And by "those pictures," I assume you mean the first one. :P

Lindsay, that's hilarious! Fun chatting with you today! :)

Thanks, Em and Kristen! Funny!

Thanks, Jessica! We always kind of mini-celebrate the 9th as well as our wedding anniversary (the 20th). We wanted to get married on the 9th, but with finals, it was tricky. :P We're happy with our dates. :)

Dr. Mark said...

Yes, I suppose I should have said "that" instead of "those" since the others are actually quite nice. Sometimes it's just weird to see us so young!

Swawa said...

Very cute pictures.

Emily said...

awww, happy anniversary!

Boquinha said...

Thanks, guys! :)

Yep, Mark, I hear you--SO weird!! Are we old or what?