Reflecting on us.

This week my mind has been in a constant state of reflection.  This happens from time to time, but this week I have been reflecting upon my relationship with my husband and how that relationship came to be.  It's a long story, really, but a good one and one that constantly reminds me of how good God is, how He can work things according to His purpose, and how He blesses His children.

Really, we shouldn't be together.  I mean, I am a farm girl that grew up in a small town in South Dakota.  By small town I mean SMALL...less than a thousand people.  He is a city boy from Canada. How would our two paths ever cross in normal life?  They wouldn't.  God knew though, that he wanted us together.  You can read that story here, if you want to.

The reason that I am reflecting so much upon us this week is because this is the week that it kind of all began...us, I mean.  On this long weekend, 11 years ago, I made my very first trip to Canada.  I remember being nervous, scared, excited...so many mixed emotions.  I knew why I was coming.  I knew that I liked, maybe even already loved this man, but I had no idea where he was at.

Then, on this weekend one year later, this amazing man walked into my basement suite one night, dressed to the nines and holding a huge bouquet of flowers.  I will never forget it.  I was standing at my sink in the kitchen doing dishes.  I heard him come in, but the kitchen was at the back of the suite and my back was turned to him.  We hadn't made any plans for that night, so I had already changed into my comfy, post-teaching clothes.  I was elbow deep in sudsy water.  He came up behind me and hugged me and as I turned I saw the gorgeous flowers and the smile on his handsome face.  He told me to get dressed up, because we were going to go out for dinner...not just any dinner, but a nice one.

I remember my heart leaping!  I had moved to Canada knowing that we would get married.  I knew he had already talked to my parents that summer.  I was still...waiting.  Waiting for him to ask!  I thought maybe this would be the night.  I got dressed up, put the flowers in water, and off we went.

My romantic man did not disappoint.  When he plans something, he plans well.  He had booked us reservations at the romantic and gorgeous restaurant at the peak of Grouse Mountain, The Observatory.  All throughout dinner I kept waiting for him to ask the question.  I enjoyed dinner, but can't say that I remember much of it because I was just waiting, and waiting, and....waiting.  Dinner ended and...no question.  Nada!  I remember starting to feel disappointment.  Tonight was not the night after all...well, just enjoy it for what it is, a romantic night out!  My mind started to think that perhaps he was waiting for Christmas.

After dinner he wanted to go for a "walk."  I remember thinking this was a little crazy, because it was COLD.  There was a bit of snow on the ground and I was in heels, but I agreed.  We walked down the side of the mountain a bit and were looking out over the lights of the city.  The night's air had a crisp feel to it and the lights shimmered beautifully.  We took some pictures, talked, laughed...and I started to shiver.  I asked if we could head back, and he said, "Let's take a few more pictures!"  I remember wondering just how many pictures of the Vancouver city lights we needed, but acquiesced anyway.  I turned to take one more photo.  As I turned back, there was my handsome man, down on one knee, ring box in hand.

I can't remember exactly what he said, and because it was a private moment-as I like it to be-I have no pictures, but I remember how I felt.  Loved.  Cherished.  Wanted.  The words he said made me feel that way.  He wanted to spend his life with me.  The joy I felt overwhelmed me and I flung myself into his arms, saying "Yes, of course!"  I was so thrilled I didn't even look at the ring he had painstakingly chosen.

The Night of Our Engagement...I had just said YES!

The night was one I will never forget.  Now, here we are ten years later.  In some ways, ten years is nothing at all when I think about hoping that I will have 50 years or more with this amazing man.  But really, ten years is something.  In ten years we have moved, we have traveled, we have changed jobs, we have had two babies, we have lost five babies, we have made friends, we have lost friends, we have said goodbye to loved ones, we have overcome difficulties...we have grown closer to one another and closer to the Lord.

I'm so thankful that eleven years ago on this weekend I stepped on that plane in Bakersfield, CA and made the trek to Canada, even though I was scared.  I'm thankful that ten years ago on this weekend my husband asked me to be his wife and I said yes.  I'm thankful to be married to Kevin...I can't imagine it being any other way.  Happy "Anniversary" my love!  Can't wait to see what the next ten years bring for us!

My Love and I, Summer 2013