Has it Really Been 15 Years?!

Fifteen years ago today I rolled out of bed and started my day. I didn't have to be in class--it was a Saturday--but I did have some place to be. I dressed myself in a pair of blue jeans and a red sweater (my mother's). I think I was wearing brown loafers. I think.

We are, and always have been, a low-key couple.

I went to Jason's room and knocked on the door. Waited. Waited. Knocked again. Finally, his roommate answered the door. He took a look at me and yelled at Jason to get up. Jason--still in bed!--gave me a startled look and, apologizing, ran for the bathroom to get ready. When he was finally ready (jeans and a blue jean shirt for him), we called a cab and headed downtown.

This should have been my first clue that he was always going to be the prima donna in this relationship.

The building was closed, so we hung out on the steps for a few minutes. Just before 9 AM, the secretary showed up and let us in. We filled out some paperwork and waited around for a few minutes. I remember that I thought about my parents and my brother; Nate had a basketball game that day and it was supposed to start at 8 AM their time. He would just be hitting the court now. Game time. The Justice of the Peace showed up and we said our vows. It was just the two of us, the JOP, and the secretary. A few of my classmates had offered to come out with us that morning but we opted to go alone. I'm still glad we did it that way, although it would have been nice to have a couple pictures of the day. If only to prove to people that this is how we really did it!

To this day, Jason and I have lived our life together while life goes on for everyone else. Every big event in our life has been ours, and ours alone. I think this has made our relationship stronger than it might have been otherwise.

I was on day shift; he was on nights. I was 18; he was 21. We didn't have a lot of family approval at the time. Heck, most of our friends didn't like the fact that we were together. We weren't supposed to be heading to the same base after school. We had known each other for approximately 88 days. We were both coming out of long term relationships which just didn't make the transition into military life. We owed our relationship to a random pair of red cowboy boots (and matching hat!) in the middle of a Texas shopping mall. The odds really could not have been stacked against us much more than they were.

Yet, here we are, 15 years and four kids later. Of course there have been struggles. Of course there have been rough patches. Our life together has taken some incredible turns which neither of us could have seen coming...but we're still together. And we're still happy. I don't see that changing any time soon.

Jason, you are my very best friend. You are the light of my life. I love you more than I could ever, ever say. I treasure the moments you are with me and long for your presence when you aren't. I can't imagine my life without you, not for one single minute. You are my perfect match in every way and quite possibly the only person on the face of the planet who could put up with my quirks and habits for 15 seconds, let alone love me because of them for 15 years. You and I were made to be together. I believe that to the depths of my soul.

I love you, baby. Happy anniversary.