Six years...and it's only getting better

It was October 26, 2002

A beautiful fall evening, when Justin and I were married.

I remember it like it was yesterday. I would usually be nervous in front of just five people, so I couldn't believe how calm I was in the moment before I walked down the isle. And even standing up there in front of all those people. It felt like it was just the two of us. It is so hard to believe it's already been six years. I can honestly say that each year only gets better. We had five amazing years feeling like "newlyweds." It was just the two of us and we were able to do so much, and have so much fun as a couple. I'm so glad we had those years to really enjoy each other, and I wouldn't do it any other way. But...this past year has certainly been the sweetest! Our baby boy has made us a family and has brought so much joy into our lives.

The night we got engaged~ December 20, 2001
The Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri
Justin asked me to marry him on a horse and carriage ride

Justin and started "dating" in August 1995, when I was 15 and he was 14 (here's a little of the story, if you don't already know it). It was the summer before my sophomore year/his freshman year in high school. As young teenage love goes, we were "off and on" for the next few years. Before I left for college, we decided it was probably best to just be friends. The long distance thing would be too hard. Well, that only lasted for about two months. And it was the most miserable two months of my life! By Thanksgiving of that year, we were back together. From that point on, we knew could never be apart again and this was what we both wanted. We've pretty much been inseparable since then.

A trip down memory lane....Justin, little freshman

My senior prom
Justin's high school graduation-May 1999
Justin visiting me at college
K-State game day
Halloween in Manhattan-those are my "Martha" pumpkins!
Justin's 21st Birthday...Night before we got engaged

Summer before our wedding~At Kane & Audra's rehearsal dinner

our engagement pictures

After seven years of dating and six years of marriage, spending time with my husband feels like it will never get old! We still hold hands when we walk, say I love you every chance we get, spoon as we fall asleep, and cuddle on the couch in the evenings. {feel free to puke now} We'll always be high school sweethearts.

Here are a few pictures from our wedding. I can't believe the change in photography & technology in just six years! We don't have any digital pictures from our wedding, they've all had to be scanned in. Instead of millions of digital images, we have a couple small albums of proofs. At the time I thought it was a ton of pictures and they were great, but looking through them now, the quality is horrible, they are all pretty dark and they just look like snapshots. Nothing special or artistic like you see these days. Oh well, I'm thankful for the memories!

After our wedding, guests threw real fall leaves at us

Our honeymoon-Las Vegas

I am so blessed! I love my life and my family. I can't wait to see what the next 50 years of marriage have in store for us, as our family grows. So, Happy Anniversary, Babe! You've made this journey so incredible. You always keep me laughing and I love you more everyday. Thank you for the best gift of all...getting to stay home with our baby boy. You are a wonderful husband and father and I will forever be grateful. I love you so much!