Today is October 21st

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 22^nd, 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 10^th, 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 10^th and the fateful October 21^st. 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.