Today is the four year anniversary of the day that my husband proposed to me. I am awestruck with all that we have done in 4 years, how much we have changed.
Four years ago yesterday I was in Colorado watching one of my best friends from High School get married to the love of his life and hanging out with people that I rarely see but get along with so well. I was single, in my last year of college and had a promising career in the hospitality industry. My high school sweet heart only occasionally crossed my mind. It’s amazing how much can change in one day. One day that I will never forget. I had just gotten home from the red-eye flight back from Colorado; I planned on getting some sleep before part CT of Gordon’s wedding when I got a call from the last person I expected. Adam insisted that I come over right away because he needed to talk to me. We went for a walk but only made it to the end of his parent’s access way. Looking back the day was magical, the New England Autumn in full swing on a crisp but not cold day. I don’t remember when I cottoned on to what his intension was but I was stunned. Even now I am on the brink of tears thinking about it. He had been doing a lot of thinking, examining his life and his future. It was my dreams come true, this man in front of me – so nervous he was holding the wrong hand. As he was talking I was thinking about my life and my future, so many times I had pictured us together forever but recently those thoughts had been pushed away. The last time we had talked was his birthday at the end of July; we had not been in a relationship since March. Now here he was asking me to marry him. I think I responded with only a nod, unable to speak. I know I was crying though. When we got back to the house his parents had the champagne out. We took pictures and talked. I made Adam call my parents; it had to be one right, even if out of order. My Dad was stunned; he was at my sister’s house, in a park across the street watching my nieces.
That Day started the rest of my life. The wedding planning went quickly, I picked out the venue and the date, June 22nd, and the covered dinner, drinks and the cake. We used the florist and photographer from my sister’s wedding. The DJ was recommended by a friend. The day is a blur to me; I only remember a few things. We moved to Vermont where Adam had a good job and we could start our life easily. I found a job quickly as well with the help of one of Adam’s old professors. Since then we have bought a house, adopted 3 cats, been promoted and found a comfortable life together. We have found new hobbies and gone on adventures. Several times we have driven down the eastern coast to visit family. I think back on who I was 4 years ago and I know that I am a different person now, though I cannot articulate how I have changed. I have watched Adam change and grow for many years; he is nothing like the person I met so many years ago. He is more confident in himself and his choices, he is proud and beautiful. He is nurturing, supportive and appreciative; saying ‘thank you’ for every dinner even if it’s just defrosting something.
Ten years ago plus 11 days we started our first relationship: October 10th, 2001. We had known each other through friends but did not connect until the Homecoming dance that year. He had lost his glasses and I felt bad. I remember sitting in the courtyard and looking at the sky later on in the evening. I remember our first kiss a few weeks later, it was in my driveway and I think I kissed him first. I have 6 years worth of memories, some good and some bad. We started and stopped many times in the six years between the first October 10th and the fateful October 21st. I know now that every experience, even the times when hearts were broken, was important and necessary to the bond that we have today. I have no doubts about the decision that I made to get married; no concern about missed experiences.
I thank God every day for the life and the love that I have. I would not change a thing, I have no regrets just excitement and anticipation for whatever is next for us.
