9 Years of PURE BLISS!

Our engagement picture

December 10, 1999

December 2008

I can't believe it has been 9 years since Matt and I covenanted to each other that we would put up with each other for eternity! :) Actually there is no need for the "putting up" needed, I am happily married to the most wonderful man! I still laugh at his dry sense of humor, think his quirks are funny (like how he can't find ANYTHING even if it is sitting right in front of him). Actually that quirk makes me feel very important because I can find EVERYTHING for him! I always feel like the hero :) What would he do without me???? I appreciate what a hard worker he is and that he provides for his family. He really is a dedicated hard worker at every project he tackles. I appreciate what a honorable Priesthood holder he is...I never hear him talk ill of anyone, he really cares for those he home teaches, he brings the spirit into our home as he gives blessings or is teaching the kids a Family Home Evening lesson. He is so thoughtful. This anniversary he gave me the cutest bracelet that he "designed". There is a local store that you can go and pick the beads and they make it for you. He included each of the kids birth stones on the bracelet! Very cute! He loves to have a good time and makes sure we take the time for the fun stuff in our busy day to day things, and one really great thing that I appreciate is that he loves to eat out and so I don't have to feel guilt when I'm not cooking :) It's kind of scary because we are starting to read each others minds...just today he stopped himself from saying something and I said out loud what I thought he was going to say and I hit it right on the nose! SCARY! What I can't figure out is how Matt ALWAYS guesses what I am getting him for special occasions! Our first year married I was going to get him a canoe and before I got it he guessed!!!! Who guesses they are getting a canoe? I really thought I had him on that one! So I was so ticked that I didn't get it for him. Another year I was going to get him a tool box and he guessed it! This anniversary I really thought I was going to surprise him. He recently lost his sunglasses. He is VERY picky about which sunglasses he gets and he knows that I know that, so I thought for sure he wouldn't think I would be daring enough to pick some out for him. I just made sure I could return them if I needed to....the night of our anniversary getaway (just dinner at a banquet and then to a local hotel for the night) I was trying to act really low key and not too excited to give him his gift. Out of no where he guesses that I got him sunglasses!!!! I brushed it off and acted like I didn't hear him. When he opened them we both had to laugh....HOW DOES HE DO IT???? He CLAIMS he doesn't look at the credit card statement. Hmmmmm, have we really been together so long we really are starting to read each other's mind??? ANYWAY...I feel so lucky to have Matt as my eternal companion! (I know there are some of you out there gagging at my sappy post, but I really do feel sooooo grateful!) Love ya Matt!

PS - One more little brag...Matt has been attending an 18 week "Mini MBA" course at Rollins College (which is a prestigious private college here in town) and he just graduated. They had a really nice banquet dinner where he got his diploma....he hates that I even mention it because they really just had to show up to class, but I think that is impressive with working full time, having a busy calling and a family! Congrats Matt! (Crappy pictures because all I had was my phone)

The graduating class

Matt and the Dean