10 years!

10 years ago today, I met a boy on my friend Keri's sofa.  We ate lunch, watched a Tom & Jerry cartoon, and mostly just laughed.  It was an easy conversation, and it didn't hurt that he had piercing blue eyes.  I found out later that he tried to call me at work the same day, but my co-worker, Dave, answered the phone and wouldn't let him talk to me.  Dave knew that Vince was getting ready to go through a yucky divorce and that he was on a destructive path, and really he was just trying to protect me.  Well, Vince found my number anyway, called me, and we went on our first date on April 28th, 2001.  It lasted for a full 24 hours, and was the best first date ever!

Here's a simplified version of it... I had to assist my Aunt shooting a wedding that night so we didn't meet up until almost midnight.  He was beginning to think I stood him up... silly boy.  Anyway, we went to a party, but had to leave quickly because it turns out that his soon to be ex-wife was there too.  I only knew her as an ex, not ex-wife.  So we went to Huey's and had beignets and coffee.  It was about 3 a.m. at this point.  From there we went to a local park to swing.  We talked throughout the whole night about anything and everything.  After the park, we swung by my aunt and uncle's house to grab some pillows/blankets/change of clothes, and then we headed up to Cloudland Canyon to watch the sunrise.  On the way there, Vince told me he loved my taste in music.... Read this as telling me he loved me on our 1st date :) Quick note, I was on my period, so there was no home run so to speak, but there was A LOT of making out.  We stayed awake all night, and the sunrise was really beautiful.   We took a short walk to the canyon edge, and laid on a blanket under a tree for most of the day.  Somehow, that day, I knew.  But I certainly never guessed I would be where I am today.

I couldn't be happier <3  Does life get pretty stressful at times?  Hell yes it does, but I wouldn't change a thing.  I have a wonderful husband that makes me laugh, and a beautiful little girl that certainly keeps me on my toes.  Who knew that 10 years ago was the start of something this special.

I will end this with a picture of our Rhododendron that bloomed for the very first time since we moved in 5.5 years ago.  Vince and I both have worked really hard to nurture this plant so seeing a bloom this year felt fantastic <3