Five Thousand Four Hundred and Seventy Five

My Darlin' and Me
The Beginning of our Journey
May 1996

One of my favorite songs from the Broadway show Rent is Seasons of Love.  I can't listen to that song without taking a look at my own life.  As many of you know, I'm a sentimental person.  I have been know to cry in theaters, in classrooms, at mass, while watching piano recitals, at command farewells, while watching change of commands, and just about any place you can imagine.  I am a sensitive soul.  I always have been.  Today, HH and I hit another milestone in our marriage.   It seems just like yesterday that I walked down the aisle to my darlin' in a classic Gothic style church with the candles flickering as I shook like a leaf while clasping my papa's arm in a death grip.  It would be one of the happiest moments of my life and one that I have never regretted.

At the time, neither one of us knew what life held for us.  We were young (23 and 21), crazy in love, and ready to be husband and wife in the eyes of God and man.   He was studying law and I was ready to start my teaching career.   We knew one thing for sure...we were going to enjoy the wild ride of life: together.

I remember many moments from that day.  The wink he gave me as I looked at him through my veil, the giggles we shared as he tried to lift me and the weight of my silk wedding dress over the threshold for the 1st time (he would find that I was much lighter when he carried me into the 1st home we lived in.), our 1st dance to Unforgettable (the same that we were dancing to when he whispered his marriage proposal into my ear a year earlier on the dance floor of the Homestead), squeezing our hands three times in a row (our secret "I love you" when we can't verbally say it) at moments that we were chatting with guests, but couldn't wait to chat with just each other. 

Then there the moments of our honeymoon to Bermuda.  HH's first of many to come during our 15 years being married to surprise the snot out of me (a task that is not easy for a snoop like me!) since I had no idea where we were going until I woke up the day after our wedding and opened the gift he was handing me.  How can I forget the horseback ride on the beach our last day?  The laughter we shared while we split a cheeseburger in a remote part of the island because the food prices were astronomical and we were poor newlyweds in Bermuda.  Our endless chatter as we sat waiting for the island bus that would never show up but thanks to a little old man who toddled out of his house, our wait would be no more as we raced to catch the last bus of the evening down the lane.  Admiring the view of Bermuda from the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse as we kissed and heard a little kid say, "mooommm...they're kissing...we can't go out there."  This would also be his first experience with my obsessive travel plans.  He'll tell you stories of that if you'd like to know more.  Suffice to say, we saw each  of the 9 parishes, hiked the old railroad, explored the nooks and crannies of the island, and marveled at the historic churches in each parish, and devoured the delish "Bermuda Fish Chowder."

My Darlin' and Me
after 15 Years of Growing Together
April 2011

That was 15 years ago.  If you've been reading my blog, kept up with us in person, or otherwise been a part of our lives over the past 15 years, you'll know way more than I could ever type here or that you would ever have time to read.  I adore this man.  I love him for every strength his has and every dream he holds.  I can't imagine me with anyone else.  He takes the best in me and loves me even when I'm being not so nice.  He's my shelter when I want to escape; my confidant when I'm sharing dreams of tomorrow or fears of today; the father of our children who are unique in every way; and the love of my life.

How do I measure 15 years? 

As any military wife does.

In numbers,

In pack-outs,

In address changes,

and duty stations.

and

In love. 

5, 475 days

1, 314,00 hours

7,884,00 minutes

1 wedding

1 wedding vow renewal at our 10th Anniversary

2 kids

4 godparents

4 furry kids

8 duty stations

2 mistress' (aka ships.  Not women.)

10 address changes

4 master's degrees

6 cars

infinite moments that are "unforgettable"

Oh you got to got to
Remember the love!

You know that love is a gift from up above

Share love, give love spread love

Measure measure your life in love.

Happy 15th Anniversary, my love!