Has it Really been....

10 YEARS?

While we were dating, Benjy lived in Washington and I was teaching in Las Vegas. We spent a lot of time emailing, writing and on the phone. (We use to fall asleep talking because he worked the grave yard shift packing potatoes in order to save up to buy an engagement ring.)That seems like so long ago and yet the time has flown by.
Our Engagement picture. It was some of Emily's first official pictures. These pictures were taken at her parent's house.

Last night the girls went on a sleep over to our friends' house. Little does Shantel know, but she gave us an early 10 Year Anniversary Gift. Tomorrow will be our 10 year Wedding Anniversary. We originally thought we would take a trip just the two of us, but then found out that our big family reunion was scheduled, plus with the 4th of July being my Mom's Birthday, we love to be with her to celebrate it. So sometime in August we will be hitting a resort, just the two of us for a weekend away. I have to admit, being pregnant kind of puts a damper on the fun festivities we might partake of but that is okay, we have had plenty of great times in the last 10 years so we don't feel that we are lacking. Besides the way we look at it.... having another little one on the way is the best 10 year Anniversary gift we could give one another!
It amazes me how much you can continue to fall in love with someone over and over again. Benjy and I love to watch 50 First Dates as our fall back Romantic Comedy. It is definitely Benjy's sense of humor that makes my world continue to spin. I consider myself to be a serious person and in any situation or in time of need, I can always count on him to keep me smiling, even when I don't feel like it! In so many ways we are so similar with our competitive natures.... We both love a healthy competition and being "former" Athletes we thrive on those situations...it truly unites a spark between us that keeps our relationship "feisty" as he puts it. Tennis and Racquetball are great date nights for us and for Benjy's sake, I will add.... playing dice, too. I celebrate these 10 years not just because we are still married but because I am married to my better half, my soul mate, my best friend.
We were sealed in the Seattle Temple for Time and Eternity. Words can not describe the peace and reassurance I feel just knowing that we are not together only until, Death Do us Part....but that we have entered into an Eternal Covenant.
Just knowing that I have been with my Eternal Companion for just 10 short years leaves me so grateful for the time we have had, the time we treasure now and the time we will have for the Eternities to come....