Happy Anniversary

On April 4, 1998 Matt and I pledged ourselves to each other in front of almost 250 family and friends.

Matt and I in beginning of August 2002. (Val, remember taking this picture?)

One of my favorite songs is an old Steven Curtis Chapman one called "I Will Be Here". It was sung at our wedding (no mom I won't make any comments about what else was sung, haha) and sometimes I think it should be our theme song.

We have been through alot in the years we have been together –– moving three times, thinking our son was going to be partially deaf and then having seizures, the loss of Matt's mom, a miscarriage, the death of our daughter, amongst others –– but somehow, 9 years later, we are still together. And no matter how many times I want to strangle him, I know I am blessed to be married to such a wonderful man.

I Will Be Here

Tomorrow mornin' if you wake up
And the sun does not appear
I...I will be here

If in the dark we lose sight of love
Hold my hand and have no fear
'Cause I...I will be here

I will be here...
When you feel like bein' quiet
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen
And I will be here
When the laughter turns to cryin'
Through the winnin' and losin' and tryin'
We'll be together
'Cause I will be here

Tomorrow mornin' if you wake up
And the future is unclear
I...I'll be here

Just as sure as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for years
I...I will be here

I will be here....
You can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we're older
I will hold you

And I will be here
To watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me
I will be here

I will be true
To the promise I have made
To you and to the
One who gave you to me

I...I will be here

And just as sure as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for years
'Cause I...
I will be here....
We'll be together

'Cause I will be here

I won't scare you with pictures from our really early days. They really are that scary, plus I am too lazy to dig out the scanner, but I will share some from the last 5 years. I know some say the longer people are married they start to look alike... I am happy to say that you must have to be together for much longer before that actually is a true statement.

Happy anniversary baby!! Here is to many many more.

Matt and I at the top of the Eiffel Tower in April 2006. How romantic, right? He even kissed me up there!

Matt and I in Vegas, September 2004.

At my brothers wedding in May, 2005.

This was taken at our very first house in July 2002, the day the moving truck came to move us to Decatur, Illinois.

At Versailles gardens in France, April 2006.

Posing for a picture at the Polynesian in Walt Disney World, September 2005.

At the National Championship Football game in January, 2003. (Keep in mind I am pregnant here)

Tubing on the lake off our boat in June, 2006.

New Years Eve December 2006. Obviously Matt was not the designated driver.