Day 100: The Best Day Of My Life

Yesterday was October 25. And I said when it came I would answer Bre’s Question. So here goes.

October 25, 1991, I was 17 and four days earlier had ended a fairly bad relationship. But in typical "me" fashion, I sucked it up, and got over it. This night, I was hanging out with friends at the mall. In the town we lived in, this was about the only thing us teenagers had to do on weekends. upon arriving, I ran into my best friend Tiffi, and stopped to talk.

Now, There was this guy, Ken, who I’d seen hanging out there almost every weekend for at least the last year. He had the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen. And he always had a hug for anyone that wanted one. I’d always thought he was hot, but he was always just out of reach. The first and only time we almost got to talk he got kicked out of the mall by an angry mall cop. I was sitting with a group of friends, and Kevin (Who by the way, Ironically enough, is married to my sister in law now!), one of Ken’s friends told him to come sit with us. Unfortunately Mister Mall Cop had just told Ken "and don’t move again!". So when he came to sit right beside me…that asshole threw him out of the mall. I was soooo close, but my chance was snatched away.

But on October 25, 1991 I had my chance. Ken walks up to where Tiffi and I are, and he hugs her, he hugs me, and he stands there one arm around each of us. Tiffi says to him "hey, I’m supposed to hook you up with one of my friends". I, the LEAST forward and flirtatious among my friends, said "How ’bout me??". And Ken, in his typical, laid back, easy going way simply says…"ok". That was it. OK. Tiffi eventually forgave me for hijacking her match making attempt too…thanks Tiff!

We started going out that night, and for the next year. We had our ups and downs, and close calls. But on October 25th 1992, He gave me the surprise of my life. you see, my grandmother had an engagement ring. It was meant to be given to the man I would marry. However, she told me at one point she had sold it.  I was a bit disappointed but I knew she was having a hard time so I understood.

That night, Ken came to my house. He asked me to go put on one of my formal dresses. I looked at him with a raised eyebrow, but did it anyhow. He then led me to my bedroom, put me up on my desk stool. And he turned on some music.  My eyes are closed, as requested, when I hear him ask me to marry him. And I feel something being put on my finger. When I said yes, in tears, I opened my eyes, to see my grandmother’s diamond ring on my finger. I immediately flew  out the door, grabbed the phone, and called my grandmother to tell her what a sneaky old woman she was. That’s when Ken followed me and said he wasn’t done yet! I hung up, and he took me back to my room, where he formally asked me to dance. And this was the song.

Three months later, I found out I was pregnant with our first daughter. We were 19, he was working in fast food, we had very little. When he came to my house after work, and I told him I was pregnant…he again reacted with his typical no panic, laid back "ok". He’s always been my rock. Even as young as we were, he’s always been the one to stay calm, and wait for me to stop panicking about something, and we work it out.

Until I met him, I’d never cried out of pure happiness, I didn’t know what love really was. And this may be TMI, but even though I’d lost my virginity a few years before, I didn’t know what all the fuss was about sex. I didn’t understand "making love" until I met him. 18 years later, he still shows me every day what love really is. We’ve been through it all, and nothing has broken us. I still feel like I did 18 years ago, only stronger.

Could I live without him? There’s no way.

I Loves Him

Sixteen years. That’s how long we have been married. As of last Thursday. And he still manages to surprise me. I go in to the bedroom to change, and as I turned to leave something caught my eye. Lying on my pillow were three perfect red roses. Which I might add are still thriving a week later. It kinda reminds me of us.

I know when we got married there were doubts about us making it. There always are. We were only 19 at the time. And the odds were set against us, as they are with any marriage. But we defied the odds thus far. Even when he joined the army, which has even higher odds against us, we defied them. But how?

It’s easy. Too many couples these days either overthink getting married, or don’t think enough about it at all. Usually the latter. And it’s treated so often as just another boy girl relationship. We see it pretty often in the Army, young couples jump in head first, and soon realize that marriage on it’s own isn’t as easy as they thought, and that is compounded by the demands and stresses the military can put on it. Rather than work their way through it, they give up. Sometimes at the first roadblock, sometimes at the next. But theygive up, and treat it just like breaking up when they were dating.

It hasn’t always been easy for us, but we put in the effort, and adjust, overcome. It’s not always rainbows and roses, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.

All Aboard The Failboat!!

I totally fucked up. That’s right, I used the F word, that should tell you something. Yes, I know I use it alot but not usually in my blog. Anyhow, enough of the review of my bad manners. I cannot be trusted with technology. See up there?? That’s my new cell phone. It is awesome. It flips open o reveal a keyboard. [Random: on local news, the headline spoken was "Get ready to pay more for your porn". /boggle] Anyhooooo. Hubby’s cell was the last number I had dialed from said phone before he left for his training. Sunday night he calls, and says “did you call me this morning?”. Hmm…no, no I’m sure I didn’t. His phone started ringing, at a time when cell phones are strictly forbidden to be used. Yes we discussed the fact that his should have been turned off. So after we hang up. I check my call history. There it was. 8:43am, I somehow called my husband. I assume I slid the phone into my hoodie pocket, and bumped the send button when I leaned across a counter or something.

Did I stop there? Noooooo. Yesterday it snowed here. So I used my in phone camera to take a picture. I wrote a message with it, and intended to save it as a draft to send later. Did I? Nope, I jumped right onboard the failboat, and it sent. Now, I haven’t heard from him since Monday night. With my luck, I probably got his damned phone confiscated.

/sigh.

In other news, American Idol is slow starting this season. I’m actually happy that Nick/Norman got through to the top 36. BUT dear God WHY is Tatiana omg I am so annoying still in it?? And her male counterpart the drama king that cries over frigging Every. Little. Thing.

/boggle

Well Isn’t That Dandy

So, hubby goes to the field last night. Me being the night owl and wonderful wife that I am, made him breakfast at 2am, he was leaving at 3. In the course of conversation, I asked if I needed to know anything about the truck, since I’d have it. Very casually he says …

“oh yeah. The oil pressure drops and the check engine light comes on. By the way, we need an oil change on payday” *facepalm* ya think?? So, I check the oil this morning , cold. Darned near empty. Had a quart in there, so I popped it in the truck, ran to the shoppette to get more. I’ll put it in tomorrow.

We all know something goes wrong the day they leave, at least I found out beforehand what it was right? Shadow is sulking, this will last a day or two. The big baby. Worse than a child.

Tax time is coming, I am anxious and apprehensive. So much we need out of that one payment. But it should be ok. A washer and dryer of course, possibly a computer…hubby’s seems to be dying on us. Bills to pay off, and of course the grab two carts and attack the grocery store thing to fill the freezer and cabinets to capacity. Oh and spring cleaning supplies. That’s always fun.

Nothing new going on though, same stuff different day.

How Can It Be?

Today is a very special day. One I’m sure people thing I should stop counting as an anniversary. But I won’t. I’ll remember this day for the rest of our lives. Because 15 years ago today was the first day of the rest of our life together. There’s no big romantic first meeting story. Just a couple of teenagers that met up at the mall one Friday night. We’d seen each other in passing for a couple years but never officially met until then.

Some days it seems like it wasn’t that long ago. Some days it feels like alot longer, because I feel like there was never a time I didn’t have him to love me. It’s as if my life started that day. I’ve never outgrown those teenager/first love feelings for him, and I am sure I never will. I love that we have such a special relationship. To me it is, others tend to not buy into the fairy tale, their loss. My life basically revolves around him, and I plan to keep it that way. When he’s finally home again, my evenings and weekends will be totally devoted to us. I’m going to take my hunny and hibernate for a very long time before the real world barges back in.

This is only the 2nd anniversary we haven’t been together for, second in a row. But we’ll make up for it in a short while. Even shorter than we thought.

I’ve been down
Now I’m blessed
I felt a revelation coming around
I guess its right, it’s so amazing
Every time I see you I’m alive
You’re all I’ve got
You lift me up
The sun and the moonlight
All my dreams are in your eyes

I wanna be inside your heaven
Take me to the place you cry from
Where the storm blows your way
I wanna be earth that holds you
Every bit of air you’re breathin’ in
A soothin’ wind
I wanna be inside your heaven

When we touch, when we love
The stars light up
The wrong becomes undone
Naturally, my soul surrenders
The sun and the moonlight
All my dreams are in your eyes

And I wanna be inside your heaven
Take me to the place you cry from
Where the storm blows your way
And I wanna be the earth that holds you
Every bit of air you’re breathing in
A soothing wind
I wanna be inside your heaven

When minutes turn to days and years
When mountains fall, I’ll still be here
Holdin you until the day I die
And I wanna be inside your heaven
Take me to the place you cry from
Where the storm blows your way

I wanna be inside your heaven
Take me to the place you cry from
Where the storm blows your way
I wanna be earth that holds you
Every bit of air you’re breathin’ in
A soothin’ wind
I wanna be inside your heaven
Oh yes I do
I wanna be inside your heaven

Love You Babe, More every day:o)

He’s Perfect

I decided to watch Wife Swap tonight after mentioned it at LJ. The first episode was a family of side show performers where the wife did everything for the family, and the husband expected this, the other the husband placed the wife on a pedastal and did the majority of the work at home as well as outside. Watching the side show guy with his attitude about “womans work” and the other guy doing everything for his made me think. I couldn’t stand to let my husband wait on me hand and foot regularly. I also couldn’t stand for him to expect me to do all the “womans” work. he’s my perfect mate. He’ll give me a break any time I ask by getting the kids off to school and letting me sleep, or making a quick meal if I’m too tired or frazzled, he’ll do household things here and there when asked. He doesn’t EXPECT anything, yet appreciates everything.

He doesn’t question my choices, or demand an accounting of every penny I spend. He trusts that I’ve taken care of our financial responsibilities before I buy impulse items, and doesn’t question. He never questions my choices in friends, or put me on any kind of leash. Even if he doesn’t like someone I am friends with, he says nothing. And when things have gone badly he’s there to comfort me, or listen to me vent without an I told you so. He doesn’t want expensive toys, except for his dream motorcycle, and because he is who he is I want to grant him that. He’s always believed in me, and supported me in anything I’ve wanted to do. Sometimes I wonder just what I’ve done to deserve this man. Whatever it was I’m glad I did it. And I hope to continue doing it. He doesn’t need to give me diamonds and roses, or anything fancy, and even though he has, I’d feel like the most spoiled, pampered princess in the world just because he loves me.

My Best Friend…

Post #2 for today. I had a hard evening with the girls fighting. I got so fed up, and needed smokes anyhow, that I just grabbed my coat and keys and went to the shopette. Don’t worry, The oldest is legally allowed to be at home with a sibling unattended now. As I was coming home, I had to smile. This song came on the radio. It’s so true for Ken…God I miss him.

You’re My Best Friend – Tim McGraw

I never had no one
I could count on
I’ve been let down so many times
I was tired of hurtin’
So tired of searchin’
‘Til you walked into my life
It was a feelin’
I’d never known
And for the first time
I didn’t feel alone

You’re more than a lover
There could never be another
To make me feel the way you do
Oh we just get closer
I fall in love all over
Everytime I look at you
And I don’t know where I’d be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You’re my best friend
You’re my best friend (my best friend)
You’re my best friend (my best friend)

Success…

Hunny saw me as a redhead for the first time today…judging by his reaction, I think it was a successful change…

“It looks HOT! I can’t to find out if my new flaming red head is as hot as she looks.hehehe”

and…

Hubby (12/10/2005 11:04:45 AM): DAMN
Me (12/10/2005 11:04:55 AM): what?
Hubby (12/10/2005 11:05:15 AM): ya look even hotter on cam than in the pic

I think I’ll stay a redhead, and damn if I’d have known I’d get that reaction I would have done it years ago. I have wanted this for years. As long as I can remember. I was blonde as a child, and then went brunette naturally. But I retained the semi fair skin tone, and always looked pale with my brown hair unless I had a good tan. My uncle’s kids are both redheads. Their dad was my dad’s brother, both were redheads, both married brunettes, and I’m the only one that didn’t naturally have red hair out of us 3 kids. It drove me nuts.

So, I figured as long as I am going through my self improvement phase I’d just go for it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained right? Besides If people can have their hair died black with purple hilites, I can be red with blonde highlights…lol!! Thank you all for your supportive comments!!!

I Go Back….

14 years ago today, I met the love of my life, my best friend, my soulmate.
Friday, October 25th 1991…let’s go back…

I was 17 years old, and 4 days prior had broken up with a guy I had foolishly thought was “the one”. That breakup turned out to be the biggest blessing in my life. That evening, my friend LaVonne and I were going to the mall. That’s where us small town teens hung out at the time, as there was really nowhere else to hook up with our friends and just socialize. We walked maybe halfway through the expanse of our mall, when we ran into my friend Tiffany. So of course we stopped there and talked to her. About 5 minutes later, up walks this guy. Long brown hair, just to his shoulders, soft curls sticking out below the edge of a black Harley Davidson hat that looked older than it’s owner. Just a few inches taller than me, light build, with the most gorgeous blue eyes I’d ever seen, accented by a soft, sexy voice and a gorgeous smile. He and Tiffany have been friends since they were little, so he stopped to say hello to her, with his usual hug.

Back then I was normally quite shy, and would never be forward with a guy. Usually coercing a friend to go and show interest on my behalf. But this day was different. I felt bold, and flirtatious, and as he pulled back from Tiffie, I said words that shocked my own ears. “Where’s mine?”. I could hardly believe I had said it, and was even more surprised when he actually hugged me too. So as he stood there, one arm around me, and the other around Tiffie, She mentioned that it was her mission to hook him up with one of her friends. I didn’t know at that moment she had one in mind…my bad. And again, this shy, reserved 17 year old says…”What about me?”. Tiff looked shocked, I WAS shocked, and Ken says….”OK”. That was it, we were officially together. Unfortunately, he was on his way out of the mall when I met him, but we walked hand in hand to the parking lot where he said goodbye, with a promise to call the next day. He walked about halfway to his friend’s waiting car, when he turned, ran back…and gave me the cutest little quick kiss on the lips. I walked on air the rest of that night. And of course, he did call the next day, we met at the mall once again for the evening, and became almost inseparable. Fast forward to our one year mark…

Saturday, October 25, 1992

We had been dating for one year exactly. We’d had our ups, downs, near breakups, typical teenage drama, but we were still solid, in love, and happy. My mom was away for the evening. I don’t remember where. The few weeks before we had been talking about marriage (well we always talked about it) and had been to my grandmothers house for a visit. I had finally been given my class ring back, from the ex that dumped me right before meeting Ken. So we visited with my Mum Mum, and met up with the ex’s aunt who had my ring. His friend Matt and I had gone outside to meet her, Ken remained upstairs with Mum-Mum. This night, Oct 25, 1992, was a whole new beginning. Ken asked me to go change into one of my formal dresses. Shoes and all. So, I did. He then led me back to my room, the lights were off, and Alabama (Feels So Right) was playing on the stereo. He sat me on the stool, made me close my eyes, and said the words that every girl wants to hear. “LuAnn Renee F*******, I Love You with all of my heart, Will you marry me” and I felt a ring sliding onto my left ring finger. I of course said YES. And when the lights came on, and I saw my Mum-Mum’s diamond sparkling on my hand, I immediately wept for joy, in the moment, in the proposal, and in the fact that she gave this ring to him. I instantly ran out of the room to call her and tell her how sneaky she was. That’s when he informed me it wasn’t over yet. He led me back into my room, and there we dances to “There’s No Way” (Alabama).

Here we are, 14 years from the day we met, 13 years from the day we got engaged, and we’re still those same blissfully happy teenagers, even if our bodies have aged, this love is timeless. And the lyrics to that song, still bring tears to my eyes, and fill my heart with joy. They still ring true, and always will.

As I lay by your side and hold you tonight,
I want you to understand,
This love that I feel is so right and so real,
And I realize how lucky I am.
And should you ever wonder if my love is true,
There’s something that I wanna make clear to you.

Baby, there’s just no way.

I Love You Baby