15 Years Today...

Matt and I celebrated our 13 wedding anniversary this past March by having a wedding in church like we always said we'd do. However, we began dating 15 years ago today. He was 21 and I was 20, with no idea what the future held for us. We had no idea that we'd get married, have 2 beautiful boys, that we could love each other and agree and disagree and share so many special moments. We were both essentially kids, thinking we knew so much- man were we proven wrong!! I have watched Matthew go from being that handsome young man, to a father who "supervised" the first few diaper changes, teaching the boys things, taking care of his family, making mistakes and moving forward, etc., etc. I think I speak for both of us when I say we have both learned a lot from each other, and from our two beautiful boys. I see the pride on his face as he watches Sebastian and Alex's games and when we get great reports from school. I see the sly smile as he lets Marley sneak onto the couch when (they think) I'm not looking.

Most people don't remember the day they began dating someone, but I do. We were camping with friends and it was the first time he kissed me...under the moonlight, after we climbed a fence and I ripped my jeans- right in the shin. No lie!!! I couldn't possibly make that one up.

We couldn't be more opposite, I am Peruvian, raised by the beach in Florida. I had never met someone who spoke with that Southern accent, ate things like biscuits and gravy- and what in the world is Chicken and Dumplings?? He had a thing or two to learn about Peruvian everything- and I loooooooooove my culture, so he learned a lot about that too!! Yes, I make him listen to the music, or watch the soaps (beacuse of course, I need to listen to the Spanish you know?!), he loves the food (although I will never undersand why he still puts soy sauce on rice. Even yellow rice. Huh??). I love the ocean, he loves the country. Yup, total opposites.

Matt, I am proud to be your wife, I feel privileged to have watched you grow as a person, but also from a young man, to the man you are today. I am proud and feel privileged, to share my life with you, and that (even though I chose YOU) you chose me to share your life with. I am proud and feel privileged to be the mother of your children (thank goodness it wasn't 15!!). I cannot imagine anyone else knowing me the way you do.

Happy "dating" Anniversary, I love you!!

The picture of us was taken October 1995, 1 year after we met, and the day after we returned from a 6 month tour overseas (WestPac). We met while we were (both) in the Navy, stationed on the same ship.