Truth Be Told...

Our journey "through the years" this week paints a pretty picture of a happy couple madly in love who never struggled or had hard times...

But that my friends is not the truth.

I would be kidding only myself if I attempted to say that it's been all been easy and wonderful!!

Truth be told... years 5 through 7 were by far the MOST difficult.

There were times we both wanted to throw in the towel, admit defeat and start over (without each other!)

It was hard! We were "growing up", changing, advancing in our careers...We struggled with communication, meeting one another's needs, being sensitive, patient, we were unkind and said ugly ugly things...

It was difficult at best.

BUT...when Brian and I were first married we realized the odds we not in our favor. Not only were we so young but the divorce stats were off the charts without adding the age factor.

We agreed then, that we were "in it" for the long haul. The good times and the bad, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer. We were in this TOGETHER 'till death do us part.

And we meant it.

"Through the years" we have both spent a lot of time on our knees. CHOOSING to love (because we weren't "feeling" it) CHOOSING to forgive (because God knows the other didn't deserve it). And CHOOSING our marriage above all else.

I am SO thankful now in year 15 that Brian and I stuck together through those times. We are who we are today as a result and I wouldn't change a thing!

Our marriage wasn't always easy. We weren't always "in love". Sometimes we don't even like each other and we certainly have had "irreconcilable differences".

But through prayer, determination, hard work, forgiveness and sheer desire our marriage is exactly as our pictures reflect...a happy couple who love each other more than yesterday but less than tomorrow. ♥

*Thank you Lord Jesus for this man you have given to me*.

15 years ago...

Happy 15 year wedding anniversary to the LOVE of my life Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.

Years 11 through 15

11 years

12 years

13 years

14 years

Also 14 years

15 years and counting...

Years 6 -10

6 years - at a friends 30th birthday

Also 6 years - at my cousins wedding - we LOVE weddings

Year 7 - in Byron & Ashley's wedding

Year 8

Year 9

I can't remember which year - but I like the picture ;-)

Year 10 - our "real" family photo. Taken at Sadie and Ethan's welcome home party.

Years 1 through 5

Happy 1st Anniversary - young, in love and enjoying all the perks of being "man and wife"

Happy 2nd Anniversary - Our first "family" photo

Year 3 - still holding on to one another

Year 4 - sadly this photo looks more like our funeral announcement

Year 4 1/2 -- at the end of a marriage retreat (they do work :)

Year 5 - we celebrated by going on a cruise to the Western Caribbean.

♥ Engaged ♥

Brian first proposed in December of 1992. We had been dating only 4 months.

It was very casual. I remember we were at his parents house (we both still lived at home) and he just nonchalantly asked if I would marry him.

I laughed and said ask me again when you have a 4 Caret. He didn't think that was so funny.

I quickly realized he was being serious and I didn't know what to say...

Over the next two months we talked about that would mean, what we would do, how we would/could it. We talked to our parents.

Which they each had their own interesting take.

When we told my parents, my mom said, "I knew it was only a matter of time" and she bought us the game of life to "practice". Really she did - and REALLY we played!!

When we told Brian parents, Brain's mom said come with me. She took me into Bran's room and she said "I want you to know, you are marrying a slob". You need to know now and NEVER complain about because you've been warned. SHE WAS SO RIGHT ;-)

Brian officially proposed on Valentine's Day in 1993 - 6 months after we began dating. I eagerly accepted.


Telling the world

Inviting friends and family to celebrate with us

With our parents at our engagement party.

Dating...

A few captured moments of our courtship....

I was just 17 when I met Brian.

We began dating a week before my 18th birthday. To read more about that story click on this post.

He proposed just 6 short months later.

Through the Years

Brian and I will be celebrating our 15 year wedding anniversary Thursday (May 7th).

In honor of that, much of my posting this month will about our journey and life together "through the years".

Here's a clip of what's to come...