8 years ago...

Eight years ago, I met some more of Bear's family for the first time when they drove up to Oshkosh the day before our wedding. I had only been back home for 4 months from my AIT and had to quickly make arrangements for our wedding and my conversion to active duty. Bear was still in AIT out in Ft. Lewis and was flying in with the other guys standing up in our wedding the night before the festivities. His mom and dad went down to pick up the guys from the airport, and on their way back to Oshkosh, totaled their van, but by the grace of God, no one got hurt. And thank goodness that some of his family drove up in a big truck and another van, because the wrecked van had to be towed back to Kansas somehow, and the rest of his family needed somewhere else to ride! The morning before our wedding was absolutely crazy!!! We had to first get our marriage license (thankfully my dad worked for the county and hooked us up with a special meeting with the lady to get our license the same day as the wedding!!!), then we had our wedding rehearsal, the guys had to pick up their tuxes, the girls went to get our hair done, and after my mom's car died and she got a ride to the church, we were finally able to get married!



It has been a wonderful 8 years and I can't wait til we make it to our 50th! And to think that lots of people were questioning us and telling us that we were too young (19 & 20) and didn't know what we were doing, and that we wouldn't make it. We still love each other and have a very strong relationship..."Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate" Mark 10:9
Bear and I were able to go out to dinner with just us (and of course Lauren since she is still dependent on mom) while our neighbor watch Caitlyn and Allison. He even took me to get my toes done before dinner! I have heard our song "When you say nothing at all" by Alison Krauss several times over the past few days...that song still makes me melt! Anywho, enough mushy stuff for now. Bear, I love you more than you will ever know and couldn't have found a better husband if I searched all the earth! Like your ring says, forever yours in 3! I love you!!!