11 Year Anniversary!

Today Richard and I celebrate our 11 year Anniversary! We've spent the last 13 of the most wonderful years together. We are so blessed to have each other and 4 amazing kids that complete our little family. Here is our story as I remember it!!

We met the summer of 1996 just after we graduated high school. I was planning a graduation trip to the virgin island of St. Croix with my cousin Lori and a couple of her friends, Brandon and RB. At the last minute RB decided not to go so Lori, Brandon, and I headed to St. Croix for two weeks. The night before we left I stayed at Lori's house because her family was out of town and we were leaving early in the morning. Her guy friends ended staying over with us watching movies all night. This is where RB (Richard) and I would first realize our attraction to each other. I was young and had a nice body then, and he was hot!! I thought he was funny but a little cocky. We snuggled on the couch and talked all night getting to know each other. Then we woke up early and I left for two weeks enjoying every minute of our trip snorkeling, relaxing on the beach, lobster hunting, and having a blast! Richard in the mean time regretted not going the entire time. (It's probably a good thing he didn't come cause young kids who were very attracted to each other spending two weeks on a beach was probably not very safe if you know what I mean lol)
So I returned home to find out my whole life was about to change. My dad picked me up and drove me home to Safford where he explained to me he had moved out and he and mom were getting a divorce. This made for a rough few months as I adjusted to the hurt and pain of divorce. I called Richard when I got home and we talked for hours. He came up that weekend and I will never forget it only took him 90 minutes to get there. I guess you could say he was anxious to see me! We became very close friends as I needed a shoulder to cry on. That's how our relationship began. Oh by the way, I wasn't fond of the name RB which his family and friends called him so I started calling him Richard.
We dated from then on. I started school at EAC and he worked in Mesa. We were such good friends which is what makes our relationship so great! Friends first, then lovers!! That's what makes a great marriage! He was called to serve a mission to the Montreal Canada mission and we prepared ourselves to be apart for two years. He didn't believe I would wait but to help make sure he set up his tv, stereo system ( and it was quite the system back then), nintendo and games in my room. I guess as a constant reminder of him! Well his mission lasted two weeks as he was sent home for medical reasons. He had severe migraines which had him spending more time in the ER than at the MTC. He had struggled with them since a car accident when he was 16. This was a big shocker to the both of us as we had prepared for him to be gone 2 years. So we continued to date since we couldn't stay apart (even though I tried a few times)! He moved to Safford and attended EA for the fall semester but not for the school, mostly to be close to me!
He told me he loved me and wanted to marry me in July of 97. It took me four long months to make the decision but as we see now, timing is everything. My dad remarried in December and several of my friends and cousins got engaged during that time. Richard proposed on Nov. 14 at the Mesa temple grounds in front of the water. He and I had just done baptisms for the dead in the temple and had a very special experience. We were all dressed up and looking great! As he got down on one knee the ring box got stuck in his pocket as he tried to pull it out (probably from being wet) and I was really surprised but totally excited and said YES. We were anxious to share our news with everyone and I can remember going to my Nanny's to show her. I was thrilled she loved my ring because she has such good taste in jewelry and her approval of our engagement meant the world to me. I don't remember telling anyone else that night (which I know we did) but I remember all the details of where we were when I told her and how happy she was.
We were engaged for 6 long months and drove back and forth to see each other as he worked in Mesa and I was finishing up school at EA. I had to plan my wedding and finish up my last semester of school which was not easy. I graduated with an AA degree with my mom who got her nursing degree one week before our wedding. What a month! It was a beautiful wedding, hot, but perfect. I had a beautiful dress that my mother-in-law made and I enjoyed the time getting to know her as we worked on it together. We were married for time and all eternity in the Mesa AZ temple on May 14, 1998 to the man I love more than life itself. We were greatly blessed! From the day he proposed to me he has not suffered those horrible migraines that would put him in the ER. I tell him all he needed was me!!
It's amazing to me how much more in love we can be as the years go by. We are still so madly in love with each other! We might be older and a little fatter, but our feelings for each other are only stronger. Through each child we had, (and we had them fast and close) trial we went through, or lost loved ones, we have made it this far closer than ever. We have had our faith tested many times and our patience tried to the very breaking point, but we seem to make it through it all. I thank God every day for the amazing husband I was blessed with. I feel so lucky our lives were brought together. I look forward to many more years together! I love you Babe, thanks for making my life complete!