Hiya Love

(celebrating our first anniversary in Sedona, AZ)

Today it's been 13 years since Kris and I were married in the Mesa Arizona Temple. In the process of cleaning out and packing I stumbled across some photos of our first anniversary and it has flooded my mind and heart with so many memories. We were oh so young (and skinny) and in love way back then. Seeing these pictures made me want to go and read some of the letters from our courtship. We had a (mostly) long distance dating relationship. We met on a blind date arranged by his aunt and Kris was only in town for Christmas. The connection was instant, love at first sight you might say, we hit it off, all those cliche terms could apply. We went out a few more times while he was in Arizona and when he left he promised to write. I still remember the anticipation of waiting for his first letter to arrive. I think we both knew where this was headed, he even alluded to getting engaged in his first letter and we had not even kissed at this point. We wrote many letters and spent many hours on the phone, much to the chagrin of my father as this was back in the day before every person on earth owned a cell phone (gasp! I'm soooo old!) We used prepaid calling cards to minimize the damage. I cherish the letters I have, actual concrete evidence of us confessing our undying love for each other. He is a beautiful writer, talented to be sure. Here's a poem he wrote for me about our wedding day.

Our life has brought many challenges, ups and downs and yet here we are thirteen years, 8 moves (almost), 5 children, countless arguments, just as many makeups, and I still feel like we are just in the beginning stages of a lifetime full of wonderful memories. Our love continues to grow, to deepen with time and experience. No, it is not the young love of thirteen years ago it is something much, much more. I love you, Honey! Happy Anniversary!