24 Years and Counting!!!....well, almost!

Two weeks from today, July 31st, Chris and I will celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary! I am writing this a little early because we will be on vacation on our actual anniversary. As I think back, I can't really remember much of a time when we weren't together. Probably because we got married when we were 19 and we dated 4 years before that! And no, just in case you're wondering, it was NOT a shotgun wedding! :) We had Ashley almost 4 years later. We started dating at the beginning of high school and got married after we both graduated from High School. I am a year older than Chris, actually only 11 months, but a school year older :) . His birthday is early in July and mine is late in August so we decided to get married July 31st because we would both be 19 when we got married.

I know it was very young, but it didn't seem so young at the time. Ashley just turned 20 last month and I can not even imagine her already being married for a year. It just seems so young. Although I would not recommend it, it did work great for us. I know that God placed us together for a reason. And I would not trade my walk thus far for anything in the world. We have grown and matured tremendously over the years. (We had to... we certainly couldn't get much more immature!! :) God has taught us both a lot. We have seen some really hard times and some simply magical times and we have grown and learned a lot through all of it.

Chris has had to take several business trips lately. His company is based in L.A. And I have realized through him being gone several different weeks over the last couple of months, that I can't imagine my life without him. Not that I could before, but it's just more real to think about when they're gone. When you are by yourself, you realize how much you actually communicate with each other. You will think about the smallest little thing you almost start to say and then remember that no one is there. It really makes you realize how when one spouse dies after 50+ years of marriage, the one who is left is not usually far behind. He is a part of me and I can't imagine life without Him. I could get all sappy right about now, but I'll spare you that. :) But I will say that our marriage is stronger than it's ever been and I am more in love with him than I've ever been.

I know that all of that comes from the relationship with God with have both realized over the past 10 or so years. We have gone through some great struggles and deep pains spiritually over the last several years, but through all of that we are not only stronger and closer to God, but closer to each other. I wouldn't trade anything we've been through because it makes us who we are now...... Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4. I can't wait for the next 24 years!!

On a little bit different note, we both did something new and exciting in November this past year. We both took a motorcycle training class and both got our motorcycle licenses!! In January we bought a Honda Rebel. A small motorcycle to basically learn on and get used to driving. It has been a lot of fun! But the problem is, we only have one. So we can never ride together which isn't much fun. We are best friends and we like to do things together. And amazingly enough, we like all of the same things for the most part. We both love camping, reading, hanging out together and with the family. We like the same TV shows, we love all sports and love to watch sports together and scream and cheer on our favorite teams. (Mavs and Stars right at the top of the list!) We just have always like the same types of things. Some of that probably comes from basically growing up together! :)

So in order to continue doing things together, we got sort of a unique anniversary present for each other this year. Last week we traded in our Rebel and got 2 new Honda VT750 Shadow Aero's!! We went riding Saturday for about 4 hours! It was a blast!! And since we get about 75 miles to the gallon, it's a lot better than driving around our 3/4 ton truck that gets 12 miles to the gallon!!

Anyway, it's been a great 24 years! I can't wait for the next 24! I love the fact that we like the same things, I love the way we start laughing ourselves silly at things other people would just say is retarded, I like our conversations sitting on top of the kitchen counter and I can't wait to go riding again!! Seeing the number 24 up there made me realize that 24 is also our favorite TV show!! Maybe that's why this year is so special....hmmmm... probably not!! Anyway, Happy Anniversary Sweetheart!! I love you more than words can say!