Happy Anniversary!

Five years ago today, I married my man and became a mother to Mason and Evan, then 14 and 11 years old. It was an absolute fairy tale day for me.

When Gary proposed, he asked me to "Become his wife and to become a mother to his children." Mason and Evan were right there beside him with big ole' grins on their faces. At the wedding, they were Gary's best men. We gave them pendants during the ceremony and made a pledge to our new family. They gave the most heartwarming toast at our reception. It was truly a day celebrating all of our new lives together.
When Evan found out that I would want a special dance with him at the wedding, he asked if we could rehearse. My college roommate, Gena came over several times and we choreographed an awesome little number for the big event. Evan even added the Top Hat and Cane for full effect. It was so much fun!!
And I couldn't find a picture, but Mason came up with the brilliant idea of "joking the whole reception." When Gary and I started our first dance in a very romantic moment, we had the DJ switch to "Baby's got back" and the WHOLE wedding party turned around and started shaking their butts. Hilarious!! (Edited to add "butt dance" picture! Momma found one and scanned it for me!)
I had always thought I was going to be married right out of college....and start havin' babies right away, of course. God had other plans for my life, and I don't regret being single through out my twenties and early thirties. In fact, I found "me" during those years.

So, even though I got married years away from my "timeline" when it came time for my actual wedding day, I never once thought "Why couldn't we have found each other sooner?" All I remember thinking is PURE JOY that we had found each other. Later, I would hold onto to that thought all during the adoption process. I knew I would not spend the rest of my life thinking, "If only I could have been there for their first x-amount of months." I just knew that the day I got them, I would again experience PURE JOY!

How FULL is my life now! I have two amazing older boys that are phenominal and have taught me so much, including how to be a good Mom. I have two little boys that exhaust me during their most quiet times and fill me with joy all of the time. And at the center of it all, is the most, wonderful, supportive (he does all the laundry and cooking!), hardworking hubby around.

I love you, Gary! Thanks for filling my life with so much JOY!