Has It Really Been 18 Years?!!!!!!!!

Then

Now

On this day, 18 years ago, Marc and I were married in the Atlanta Temple. It was exactly one week before Marc's 24th birthday and I was only 22. At the time, I thought we were so old but now, looking back, I realize how young we truly were. Also, looking at the "then photo" above I wonder how we ever got into those pants! Oh to be young and skinny again...

I met Marc at a "Young Single Adult" activity at church in Mobile. I had just come back home after a failed attempt to move out west on my own. I didn't know it at the time, but Marc never attended these activities and had agreed only because volleyball was involved (and we all know how much Marc loves sports.) When I first saw him, I thought he was handsome but noticed several girls "hanging all over him" and therefore decided he wasn't for me. You see, Marc was just back from his mission and the Mobile Ward's most eligible bachelor. This really didn't mean anything to me at the time so I just ignored him. Well, I guess ignoring him worked because he suddenly began attending the weekly activities. On the third week, he asked me for my phone number in front of his female groupies. I must admit it was a little embarrassing but I was thrilled. You see, even though I had pretended to ignore him all of those weeks, I truly had a huge crush on him. We began dating right away but pretended to be "just friends" for quite some time. I have a little twinge of guilt for the several girls whose hearts were broken when I stole Marc away. But, what can I say? You can't fight true love!

We were engaged longer than most LDS couples. I think it was about a year and a half. (This was partly due to the fact my dad was so sick with cancer.) Marc proposed to me on October 7, 1988. He told me to "dress nice" but wouldn't tell me where we were going. He picked me up in his parent's fancy car (he had his own car it just wasn't very fancy=) and we began to drive across the Bay. Soon, we arrived at The Grand Hotel in Point Clear for dinner. During our lovely meal, Marc had a dozen long stemmed red roses delivered to the table. After dinner, we walked to the car but rather than getting in, Marc went to the trunk and pulled out two wine glasses and a bottle of non-alcoholic champagne. He then led me out onto one of the piers. It was such a beautiful night! After drinking a bit and talking, he got down on one knee and asked the question that would change my life forever. And, as you might have guessed - I said YES! (well, actually I said I'd "think about it" but was only joking...lol)

I'd be lying if I said all of the last eighteen years have been perfectly wonderful. The truth is, there have been good times and not so good times. Yet I cannot imagine going through them with anyone else. I am so thankful to my Father in Heaven for sending Marc to me. My life has been blessed because of his companionship. He is the love of my life, the father of my children, and my best friend.

Happy Anniversary Honey! Here's to another 18 years, and another, and another, and...