a LONG time ago...

It was the summer before my junior year of high school. There was a really cute lifeguard that worked at the local pool. He was a few yrs older than me, so I figured that I was invisible to him.

Fast forward to the end of summer - and I am at band camp (yes, I'm one of those band nerds - except I am a cool nerd because I dance, instead of march with an instrument - SOOO much better I know!!). One of the senior guys takes a liking to me (could it have been the sports bras that us danceline girls were rocking that reeled him in?!). I'm receptive to his attention, and our little relationship lasts a few weeks. Until he smothers me into oblivion. My friends coined him "Mr. Annoying" because he was always RIGHT THERE! So, I very immaturely broke up with him, not that breaking up is immature - but it was how I went about it that was bad. I didn't even have the nerve to tell him face to face - I just handed him a note during class change. Ugh, I'm such a dork!

Fast forward to Homecoming Night. My friend, Christy knew that I had been checking out the lifeguard back in the summer, and she was friends with him. She so nicely coordinates him to come to the homecoming game to check me out. Then, we ended up at the dance together. I have to say, my first impression wasn't the best.

He had family in town from Colorado that were alumni at my HS, so he was really excited to see them. I was all self-centered and thinking "How dare he not focus all his energy on me!" Then, I was sitting in the bleachers with a friend who had a crick in her neck, and being the good friend that I am, I was rubbing her neck. He has the audacity to come over, sit down beside me, and tell me "Move over, you aren't doing that right". This guy has no intentions of trying to win brownie points, I mean sheesh - he's giving my friend a rubdown!

I'm still giving him a chance at this point because #1 - he's cute #2 - he smells good & #3 - he's in college! How shallow am I!?

That same night, a few friends were going to eat at Taco Bell after the dance. We tag along, and I am MORTIFIED to eat my crunchy taco in front of him. Why? I have no idea. I'm starving, but how do I dare eat a messy taco in front of the blonde cutie?

We talked on the phone a few times, & decide to go out on a REAL date. "For Love Or Money" with Michael J. Fox and chicken tenders at Applebee's. Again, I was so nervous, I think I might've eaten 1 tender. No wonder I was so skinny!

Well, we started dating exclusively - so I guess I wasn't as invisible as I thought I was back during the summer. OR, I just made him fall head over heels for me because of my intelligence, my quick wit, and my magnetic personality. And for those of you who know me personally - you know that none of those things were present at the ripe age of 16 and 17. I was so terribly shy!

Who knew - almost 17 yrs later, I would be sitting here writing this REALLY long post!

Danny - Happy 14th Anniversary baby! I love you and the life that we have built together! I love the fact that I can eat in front of you and not feel embarrassed (or whatever emotion it was back then). I love the fact that we can ride in the car in comfortable silence. I love the fact that we have known each other for so long that sometimes, we don't even need words because facial expressions suffice (this is a major plus in public!). I love the fact that even though I sometimes feel like I am twice the girl you married, you still love me like you did on our wedding day. I love that even though we don't mean to, our parenting skills coordinate with one another. I love you because you feed the animals everyday. I love you because you get me something to drink when my cup is empty.

We've been through alot in our 14 yrs, and we are better for it! Here's to alot more celebrations!