It's a sappy love story!

engaged

married: August 4, 2000

I can't believe it's been 15 years already!  I am happy to say that I am more in love with Alex today than I was the day we got married.  It should be that way, after the experiences and time we have spent together.  I have to admit that I didn't really know Alex that well when we got married, having only dated for one year beforehand (and never living together until marriage).  Alex didn't have a car, so I didn't know what kind of driver he was.  I didn't really know if he was good with kids.  I didn't realize how stinky his feet were!  :)  On Alex's side of it, we had never even been hiking together.  He didn't really know if I could carry a backpack or not.  :)  Luckily for me, I proved that I wasn't very good at backpacking AFTER we got married.  Too late to turn back...Ha ha!  He didn't know that I talked (and sometimes hit) in my sleep.  I don't think he ever even saw me in a swimming suit before we got married.  There were a lot of things that we didn't know about each other.  

Alex still asks me sometimes, "Why did you pick me?"  I usually say, "Because you were a nice guy." But this is what I mean when I say that:

What I did know was how kind and respectful he was to me and to everyone else.  I knew how easy he was to talk to and how comfortable I felt around him.  I knew that he got along well with others and wasn't judgmental.  I knew that I was very attracted to his eyes and smile.  I knew that we would make cute kids!  I knew that he was just as awkward as me at dancing.  :)  I knew that he was genuine - that he didn't need to buy my love with gifts.  I knew that he was hard-working and smart and had an enthusiasm for his work.  I knew that he had a strong relationship with God and that faith and family were most important to him.  I knew that he was worthy to take me to the temple - to make forever promises there.  I knew that my life would be happier with him than without him.

It was a bit of a leap of faith to commit to and put my future into his hands after only knowing Alex for a short time.  Yet, I felt like it was right, and I trusted in the feelings I had ever since our first date.  Yes, I'm sure some of it was that giddy young love of a new relationship.  But there was that extra spark that left me feeling like this could be a forever love.  And I trusted in that spark of love, and I am so glad that I did, because that flame has kept growing stronger with time.  And what I knew then about Alex is still true today.  He still has all of those qualities I admired when we were dating, but I also know now that he is a great husband and father.      

We didn't start out with much in common or an extensive knowledge of each other.  We started out with qualities that we admired, a solid foundation of mutual trust and commitment, with similar goals, and shared spiritual beliefs.  I know that has kept us going strong.  We have been blessed with a great relationship - one that doesn't require extra effort to maintain.  I really appreciate the drama-free, easy-going aspect of our relationship.  I have enjoyed our 15-16 years together, and I look forward to many more.  I love you Alex!  

(You had me at "Do you want to go out for ice cream?")  :)    

backpacking debut, on our honeymoon

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two...

three...

 four...

five kids!

Look at this beautiful mess we have created!