Today’s post is dedicated to my husband of six years, on the day of our wedding anniversary.

Honey, I was trying to think of the perfect gift to commemorate six years of bliss.  I wanted to buy you the new Camaro we saw in the Transformers movie, but nil chance, since I don’t play the lottery.  Then I thought, How ’bout putting together another memory book with our fave photos or burning you a CD of your favorite tunes?

Naw.  This year, I am dedicating today’s post to you with this ode of remembrance. 

I Still Remember

I still remember

… the first time you walked into the room, a couple minutes early, before that evening’s time of fellowship.  you arrived right on time.

… your expressions were quiet and reserved.  style understated.

… the first emails you sent me.  you asked how i was doing.  we talked about how we liked our coffee black.

… our month long email exchanges.  got me wondering why you hadn’t asked me out.

… riding in your camaro, with a jack-in-the-box antenna ball.  bob marley playing through the speakers.  george strait among your faves.  made me laugh.

I still remember

… our first date. so ordinary, i thought: a cup of coffee, a movie, and pizza afterwards.  how mistaken i was.  our connection was unmistakeably extraordinary.

… how guarded i was, protecting my heart by keeping you at a distance with safe conversation.  with courage, you didn’t give up.  unfazed, you kept wooing me, disarming me with questions no one ever dared or cared to ask.

… our first kiss.  i told you i didn’t want to be kissed until going three months steady.  under the shade of a willow tree, with a cool breeze blowing by, your arms wrapped around me, I changed my mind.

… long talks into the night with the phone resting on my pillow because my hands were too tired from holding it.  we watched our rooms go from dark to sunlit, as we hung up to say goodbye before getting up in pain to go to work.

… when i warned you that my life wasn’t so normal.  it’s complicated.  maybe you’d like to be happy with someone else.  i’d understand.

I still remember

… the moment you dropped on bended knee with a ring in hand.  we were running around, collecting sand dollars washed up en mass by the tides.

… walking down the aisle, seeing you smile through a bride’s veil.  you took my hand, among family and friends, we exchanged our lifelong vows.

… the birth of our baby boys.  we were so clueless.  how our lives have changed.

… the sleep deprivation. you sacrificing sleep, to take care of baby, so I could rest.

… the difficult days in a difficult job.  you hung in there, providing for our family.

I still remember

… your gift of listening, taking time to make conversation, year after year.  never tiring of hearing me talk, reading my writing, and eating semi-burnt food.

… how you pour me a cup of coffee, help me fold the laundry, take out the trash.

… you praying with me, dreaming with me, being my best friend.

Six years of happiness.  I still remember.  Everyday, we get up together and face the unknown. Thank you for giving me yourself and being faithful.  Thank you for being the safe place for me to hide when I feel like giving up.

You are God’s earthly reminder that there is heaven.

I love you, Sweetie. Happy 6th Anniversary.