Nine Years Ago Today

James and I met in the Fall of our Junior year in high school. One of my best friends had been in the high school play and a large group of friends had gathered at Bennigans’ after the play to celebrate and have a late dinner. My best friend, Cara, was dating James’ best friend, Chris. Both of us had been invited to this dinner by our respective friends. I noticed James from across the table and whispered to Cara asking who James was (remember we went to school with 1500 students in our class so it was not uncommon to not know people in your grade). She told me who he was, but also mentioned he was there with his girlfriend. I actually was dating someone as well, but my curiosity was raised. A “spark” was there! Briefly after that, introductions were made around the table, but “that was that.” Ironically I learned from James later that he had asked Chris about me as well, but obviously the timing was not right.

Fast forward a year and a half later. Prom was approaching and neither James or I had a date as we were no longer with our boy/girl friends. Our friends Cara and Chris were still dating and began plotting that James and I would make a great date for each other. James and I had “bumped” into each other quite a bit during a Senior year because we both were in choir. We had become acquaintances, but nothing really more than that. When Cara asked my thoughts on James and the possibility of going to prom with him, I liked the idea and said I would certainly go with him if asked. In typical high school “fashion” she passed along the information to Chris who passed it along to James. Several days later after choir, James was waiting for me in the hall. He asked “to talk to me for a minute.” He then went on to ask me to go to prom with him. Considering how shy James was, this was HUGE for him. It was also quite a first date request….prom! Of course, he already knew I was going to say yes! Because prom was still several months away, James and I spent that time going on dates and getting to know each other. We had so much fun and really enjoyed spending time with each other. We had so much fun at prom too and it was a great way to end our Senior year (Side note…I will try to find our prom picture and post it. Wow have we changed)

James and I spent the summer before college together. I had already decided I was going to Texas Tech. During that summer James decided to go visit Tech as well as he was still undecided about college. After a visit to Lubbock he made his decision to attend as well. I have ALWAYS said he made that decision because of me, but he disagrees. We ended dating all through college and while I went to graduate school.

James proposed on July 4th, 2008 in St. George Island, Florida on the beach at night on bended knee. We were there vacationing with our closest college friends. After the proposal, we went back to the beach house where our friends were waiting to celebrate the news! It was perfect

We were married a little over a year later after dating for six years. So here we are 15 years later. I don’t think either one of us would have thought WAY BACK THEN that we would now be living in suburbia with two children and living the American dream so to speak! Our wild and crazy college days have been replaced with Friday night after dinner walks with our kids and two dogs. Amazing and unbelievable!

James and I both agree we are lucky to have a really good solid marriage where we have so much to be thankful for in our lives. So James….Happy Anniversary! I love you! Here’s to all that is to come!