7 years of marriage!

Today I am thinking of Alex. It is our 7 year anniversary...and we are apart. This is mostly for Alex (since I know he reads my blogspot, despite his dislike of it)...

We've made it 7 years! We were married in the Denver Colorado temple on August 4, 2000.

It has been a wonderful 7 years. We met back in the spring of 1997. Alex was doing a summer internship in my hometown. I had just finished high school and was living at home over the summer before starting college in the fall. We first met at church. I had just given a talk, and after the meeting Alex came and complimented me on my talk. I was impressed that a total stranger would do that. He was very friendly and knowing that I would be starting at OSU in the fall, he offered help if needed. My dad met Alex before I did, at work. He told me he met a summer intern that was already going to OSU and thought I should talk to him about OSU, ask any questions that I had before starting college. ("Yeah right Dad," I thought, "...I'm not going to call some college guy I don't even know and start asking him questions.")

Anyway, I thought Alex was extremely nice, but I thought he was a little goofy looking. I don't have a picture of him from then to show, but he had these kind-of big glasses. I definitely saw "potential" though...he was cute, a tall blue-eyed blond with a nice personality.

We only talked a few times at church that summer, the times when he wasn't off messing around with his buddies... ha-ha. Alex had fun that summer with his roommates, backpacking, road-tripping. (Found out about that after we were married.) So we didn't really pay attention to each other that first summer. My first Sunday at OSU was Alex's mission farewell talk. He took off to serve a mission for 2 years in Salt Lake City.

Meanwhile, I was having fun at college- wasn't thinking too much about Alex. Not that I was dating- I wasn't. I had my eye on a couple other guys... but I didn't date anyone seriously until Alex got home from his mission. My family probably thought I'd never get married. I did start writing Alex a little bit while he was on his mission. My brother was on a mission as well, and I know how much he appreciated getting mail. The spring of 1998 I sent Alex a letter and was surprised when he wrote me back. I wrote him about once a month and he wrote me about every 3 months... ha-ha.

The summer before Alex got home from his mission, I decided I was going to go on a mission. I started preparing, and then it came time to decide when I was going to leave. Since my 21st birthday (girls go on missions when they're 21) fell in the middle of the semester, I wasn't sure if I should stay and take the fall semester and leave in January or if I should just work until my birthday. My roommates, Jerushia and Cindy, convinced me that I should stay for the fall semester. I remember Jerushia telling me that Alex was coming home from his mission and I should wait and see if anything happened there...

So I did. And here is where the story (my perspective and Alex's) differs a little. I returned back to school on Saturday evening. As I was unloading my car, some guys from the church pulled up and started helping me carry some of my stuff into the apartment. Apparently Alex was one of the guys, but I didn't notice that it was him. Alex says that I blew him off, but I really didn't know it was him. It was dark... I will admit that I was paying more attention to one other guy.

Anyway, the next day, on the way to church, my roommates and I were talking about Alex, wondering what he looked like, what he was like now, does he even know who I am...and right then, we saw Alex walking. My roommates said, "Well, there he is now. Let's see if he wants a ride. Here's your chance Annie." There I was, riding in the back seat, and he climbed in the car and sat beside me. Alex didn't know it, but I was embarrassed because my roommates were already trying to hook us up. We all just grinned and tried to be cool. He looked good...better than I remembered.

We had him over for dinner that evening. I think Jerushia fixed dinner that night, and again by her encouragement, suggested that I call Alex and invite him over. (I needed help; I was pretty shy about guys. Thanks roommates for your help.) By Monday evening, after our ward family night, Alex asked me out. We went to Braum's for ice cream. That was brownie point #1- I love ice cream. As we talked, I felt like he really cared about what I had to say. I remembered how polite he was-brownie point #2. I was beaming by the time I got home. I sensed something special and even that early on, I knew I could marry this guy.

Okay, so this story is getting long...but, anyway. We started dating and broke up a couple of times. Alex had some doubts and things to work out (highschool girlfriend to leave behind...) before he realized what he wanted. In his mind, he finally realized that here was a cute girl that could carry a backpack! And by the end of the semester, we were engaged. We were married about 8 months later. It's all about being the right person, in the right place, at the right time. (It's all about TIMING Audrey, Alison, and Ashley...)

Actually, we made it look easy. I don't know how it all worked out so well and how I got so lucky to find such a great guy. We have had a great marriage so far. By the way, I have had my chances to carry a backpack. We went backpacking for our honeymoon. We climbed Mt. of the Holy Cross in Colorado. I probably won't do that again. And Blanca will not see my boots again...that peak kicked us off.

We started off in a little dinky yucky apartment, with roaches and other various annoyances. But that made us stronger. And it actually was a good move for Alex; I haven't complained (much) about our housing since. It has only gotten better.

We were blessed (after 2 years of struggle) with our first baby in January of 2004. Yeah Nathan! Our little gift from God... And Jared came along in May of 2006. We love our boys.

I love all my boys...I'm especially grateful for Alex. And here's some of the reasons why:

He loves me

He tells me I'm beautiful

He makes me smile

He's easy to talk to

He's polite (or used to be until I corrupted him)

He overlooks my weaknesses

He works hard and is a good provider (away providing for me now...ha-ha)

He loves the Lord

He's willing to serve

He's good-looking

He's a good father

We have the same long-term goals; we agree on finances, kids, and religion

That's a few of them.

Alex is my "haven of comfort," as in these lines: "As the flower of our love opens to its fullest, we grow closer and more appreciative of this love we have been given. We begin to find support within the circle of our love and to trust the souls of one another."

I love you Alex. Happy 7th anniversary!