I was dating someone else, you just happened to be there at the same time in the same group of friends. We became friends. My relationship ended, and you and me, we continued to be friends, to get to know each other a little bit better. We started hanging out more, it was kind of hard not to when all our friends were dating each other. One night we all went out for pizza and bowling, and you and me were the only ones that were not attached to anybody. We spent the night talking and flirting I smiled at you, you smiled back, we sat next to one another and as the night was ending; me taking off my bowling shoes, you came up and asked me to "make it official, would you be my girlfriend?" I almost fainted right there in that bowling alley. "Yes" was the answer I gave. That was just the beginning.
Eight years later, you asked me again, to "make it official, would you be my wife?" You put the ring on my finger and I screamed so loud I think people five miles away could hear me as I said "Are you serious?!! Yes!!!" there was much jumping up and down for joy and hugs and kisses that evening, and we drove off into the night to tell my parents.
One year later, October 6th, 2007 we were married.
On a day completely unlike today. It was 85 degrees and windy. We were getting married in a church out in the country in Carmel Iowa. I remember getting ready with all my girls, make-up just on, and through the door I heard your voice as you were walking past, and the tears came. Tears of joy and happiness. I was finally going to be your wife after so much time together and I couldn't stop the tears.
We met before the ceremony, a moment together alone (with the photographers), you told me how beautiful I looked and how "poofy" my dress was, and I commented on the tie clip I had given you to wear that day. A tie clip my grandmother had given to me to give to you while she told me "Your grandpa wore this on our wedding day", and I was filled with memories of him and all of our other family members who were watching us from above that day.
My veil blew in the wind, my dress swooshed and swayed as you twirled and dipped me for photos. We smiled so much our cheeks hurt. It was so good.
Then the moment came. People, all the people that love and support us so much began to file into the church pews. The music started. I was standing at the end of the aisle with my dad, looking at you standing at the other end, and the tears came again. So happy for this moment, for God's faithfulness in bringing us here to this place together. That was the most important and best walk I've ever taken, the walk into my journey with you.
The ceremony was lovely. A great message, music, candles, parents laying their hands on us in prayer, being surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses. And God was there, orchestrating it all. We walked out of the ceremony, I threw my hand holding my bouquet in the air and hollered, and everyone rang bells and clapped and hooted and hollered right along with us.
We drove away from the church in the Suzuki with streamers and cans following behind us and wind blowing down a country road, shaving cream that pelted us in the face, and we laughed and talked about what a great story this would be. Some of the best moments of our lives.
The next couple days are a blur. Everything moved so fast. I packed up the last of my things from my childhood home, hugged and cried some more and waved goodbye to my parents as I hopped in my Honda and followed you in your Chevy down the road to Ames, Iowa. Those were probably the most empty and full of thinking my own thoughts 3 and 1/2 hours that I've ever had.
We started a new life here together in Ames 5 years ago.
You're still my favorite. My best friend. The one who loves me through everything. My biggest fan. My shoulder to cry on. The one I still dream with and for.
I love you.
Thank you for choosing me.
