Gratituesday: 17 years

Today is the 17th anniversary of my first date with my husband.

That sounds like such a long time ago, but it seems like three days ago. At least,most days it does. I look at him every day and I still see the cutest boy in the world who has the very best laugh.

We dated for a long time (three years) and still date as often as we can. 

When we first started going out, I was almost sick, I was so excited to be around him.

I realize now, that is what true love feels like. He would show up to pick me up at my apartment wearing black socks with Birkenstock sandals just to  mess with me. I thought he was adorable. He had the strongest shoulders and the most hilarious sense of humor. I was a goner!

Now, 17 years later, I don't feel sick when I am around him. Instead, I feel calm. He makes me feel like everything is going to be fine. He still makes me laugh, really laugh, from my belly.

 I still think he is adorable, even more so  now that I really and truly know him. He is one of the most generous people I know, and will give anyone the shirt off his back or his bike shoes, tools, last piece of gum, whatever.  He expects the same in return and often has the most generous friends.

 I am one lucky girl to have him in my life.

We are going on a date tomorrow night to celebrate our 14 years of marriage. Three years and one day after our first date, we gathered a few of our nearest and dearest and stood before them and God. We said to each other..."Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God." -Ruth 1:16 

I am so grateful that we did.