10.07.2009

7 Years Ago Today....

....it was a cold and drizzly autumn day in Milwaukee WI.  I got all gussied up for a very special night, butterflies flipping around in my belly like so many mexican jumping beans.  I waited, anxious, excited and nervous; sitting, standing, fidgeting, checking and rechecking my hair and makeup.  A knock at the door sent thrills through my body.  It was the man who would become my future husband, come to pick me up for our very first official date.

From here.....

He took me to a pottery painting shop, where we designed a sushi plate sporting cartoons of both our faces, a heart, and a piece of avocado sushi.  That plate now hangs on our wall.  We initialed the back of it, and Hunter suggested we draw a heart around our initials and add a plus sign between them.  I melted.  He took me for frozen custard, my favorite, a treat before a delicious and romantic italian dinner together. Later, I gave him a fleece Spiderman blanket that I had bought to commemorate the occasion. It was a heavenly first date - the first of so many, that would lead us to an eventual (and long anticipated) walk down the aisle.

Since then, we've moved six times and lived in three different states.  We've traveled to five different countries and crossed the United States by car, train and plane. We've raised a puppy together.  We've totaled two cars.  He's seen me through six eye surgeries, and two major injuries. We've cared for eachother through various ailments. He's seen the very best and the very worst in me, and I in him.  We've helped each other grow from young adult to full-fledged adult, but never letting go of our innocence, idealism or playful natures.  He cured my self-destructive magnetism toward damaged, selfish men and taught me what it means to be truly loved and to love honestly, deeply and without reservation.  When I see myself in the mirror of his eyes, it gives me more confidence and self assurance than I've ever experienced before.  He encourages me to take risks, to grow and to challenge myself and supports my wishes, hopes and dreams as if they were his own. 

...to eternity

I am so grateful for you, my Hunter, my Cazador, today and every day.  It has been the best seven years of my life and the most exciting ride I've ever experienced.  I cannot wait to see what wonders the future holds for us, but I am certain that as long as we are together, we'll make it fabulous, no matter what.

Hunter, I love you.  I love you I love you I love you, I do.