It seems fitting to interrupt the posting of deployment threads following a group from October 2006. Looking back, that's the only year of the past twelve that we were apart for our anniversary. Honestly, that's not too shabby. Most years we spend doing something simple like going out to dinner while my parents watch the kids. On occasion, however, we are able to do something a bit more adventurous. It is no surprise that those are some of my favorite memories.
October 16, 1999- The day that started it all. I can't believe how crazy we were to get married while I was still in school. Seriously. I took a midterm Friday morning, loaded the car with a friend who would be lending her piano skills to the ceremony and headed north barely making it to the church in time for the rehearsal. It was a whirlwind weekend.
Rehearsal Friday, wedding Saturday, gift opening Sunday, mini-honeymoon Monday, home to our apartment Tuesday, back to class on Wednesday Did I mention we were a bit crazy?
Honestly, I couldn't have asked for a better day. Being a music person I programmed each song selection to have a special meaning for each moment it would be used. I am certain this careful planning was lost on nearly every person in attendance, but it was one of the little details that made the day extra special for me. I am so thankful that I was able to surprise Mike with singing "When You Say Nothing At All" to him. I wasn't sure I'd be able to make it through without getting emotional, but his reaction of "What are you doing? This isn't in the program!" when his brother handed me the mic helped lighten things up a bit and I was able to sing the entire song without shedding a tear.
October 2000- Our spontaneous trip to Bayfield, WI via Stillwater, MN If you look at a map you will notice that travelling from central Minnesota to Bayfield, WI via Stillwater is not the most direct route.
We knew that we wanted to go antiquing in Stillwater for our first anniversary since that's one of the things we did on our honeymoon so that was the first stop of our adventure. Somehow when Mike was talking to his parents on his cell phone that afternoon it was suggested we visit Bayfield. Being the spontaneous people we are, we mapped out a route and headed to Wisconsin.
We took our time and stopped at every antique store along the way. When we arrived in Bayfield we drove around until we found a bed and breakfast that had a room available. The next morning we discovered that the innkeepers' son was a freshman at the same college my sister attended. Small world. We travelled along the shore of Lake Superior and met up with Mike's best friend, Tom and his wife Amanda in Duluth before heading home.
October 2006- He missed our anniversary by three days. It was the first time I saw him since he deployed to Iraq that March. Needless to say it was a very emotional time for us both. I had a hard time understanding why he wanted to get home to the kids so soon when my parents were kind enough to take them so we could have some alone time. It is definitely a bittersweet memory. In retrospect, I do understand where he was coming from, but in the moment it was very difficult for me to manage.
October 2011- Another trip to Wisconsin. This time to Pewaukee to attend a Steven Curtis Chapman concert. My wonderful sister took all four kids for us for the weekend. It was great. I had forgotten how quiet a car ride can be.
We stopped at a few stores along the way, but mostly we just enjoyed each other's company and the freedom of a trip without cries of "how much longer till we get there?" or "I have to go to the bathroom!" or "(s)he won't stop bugging me!" from the back seats. It was blissful. Isn't it funny how something as simple as riding in the car alone together can make for a memorable anniversary? I guess that's what having four kids does to a person.
I am so thankful to have been blessed with such a wonderful husband. We have gone through so much over the years and managed to grow closer together where some couples with similar experiences grew more distant. Our marriage is something we both value and will continue to fight to keep strong. I thank God for the way that He has blessed our marriage over the years. He has rejoiced with us during the good times and carried us during the difficult ones. I know there is no way we could have survived the last twelve years without God in our lives.
I don't know what the future may hold, but I do know that no matter what it may be we will face it together.
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