3 years ago...
...on December 10, 2010, Brad and I went on our first date. We had met at our gym on a Monday and talked every night after working out that entire week. After our Monday conversation, I was definitely intrigued. We had literally been staring at each other for 4 months at the gym, but are not the kind of people that go to the gym to meet people or socialize. That Monday in December, we finally spoke. We talked Tuesday night for about 2 hours, Wednesday through Friday looked about the same, and Friday night he asked me out! He planned our date for Saturday and picked me up then.
Brad took me to what became "our place," a sushi restaurant called Tsunami in downtown Greenville. We had the best conversation and I remember sitting there thinking, "Is this guy real?" After dinner, we walked through our gorgeous downtown to a wine bar called Stellar. At the time, I didn't know this was part of the date, but I was pleasantly surprised! We stayed at Stellar until 2 am just talking and getting to know each other.
We both later said that it was the best first date that either of us had ever been on. It must have been, because we've been together ever since! (You can read more details about our "Our Story" here.)
2 years ago...
...on December 10th, Brad and I left town for the weekend to get away to Ashville, North Carolina to the Biltmore House for our One Year (dating) Anniversary. For my birthday, Brad bought me tickets to see the Biltmore Christmas Candlelight Tour ~ something that I had always wanted to see. We planned the weekend for our One Year Ann. so that we could get away and enjoy the weekend celebrating us! On our way up to the Biltmore, we drove on the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway to take in some scenery. Brad pulled over at one of the overlooks and we got out to take a few pictures and take in the mountains.
I had the idea to set up the camera on the truck and set the timer so that we could get a picture of the two of us with the scenery. We took one picture, but I had to adjust the camera. I got it set up, set the timer, and ran back to my man. He started to turn and hold me at arm's length when I realized he was getting down on one knee. I was so surprised! I mean, we had looked at rings in August and had been talking about getting married, but I was still surprised! The love of my life proposed on top of a mountain on our one year anniversary. It was perfect. And yes, the camera caught the proposal!!
This picture is framed in our bedroom and every time I look at it, I can't help but smile. It warms my heart! (You can see/read more about our Engagement here.)
So 3 and 2 years later, it's December 10th and we are married, living in Iowa, living in our new house, and we have our first baby on the way! It's flown by, but I have loved every second of sharing my life with that man. He's the love of my life!
This year on December 10th, my sweet husband walked in the door with a present. Not surprisingly, I had one waiting on the counter for him too! His gift to me was a set of pearls!! a pearl necklace, earrings, bracelet, and ring! My hubby is gooooood. My gifts to him were: a new shirt, the under armor fleece sweatpants he's been eying, a 60 minute massage, a case of seasonal beer, and a Starbucks gift card (because 3 + 2 = 5, so he got 5 presents!).
I hope we always celebrate the little things about Us and our relationship. It's special for us!
