15 YEARS TOGETHER!!!

Jason and I celebrated our 15 year anniversary on the 21st of October. Jason was very sweet, he sent me flowers and took me out to a fancy dinner in Beaufort, right on the waterfront. He called and said we HAD to be there by 5:30 for our reservation. So we made it right on time…good thing he made a reservation ha ha…we were seriously the only ones there on a Tuesday evening!!! We had the place to ourselves. Our waiter was so attentive he should have just pulled up a chair and joined us! I think he filled my water at least 10 times. It was wonderful though. Jason wanted to be there by 5:30 so we could watch the sun set over the ocean. It was absolutely beautiful!

Reflecting on our 15 years together we have had a lot of joy and wonderful things happen to us but we have also had our struggles as well as heartache. It seems like we have experienced just about all life can dish out and thankfully have become stronger together. We have been blessed with beautiful children, we are healthy, we have the gospel in our lives to give us strength and direction daily, wonderful extended family who have been there for us, wonderful friends both near and far away to make each day brighter, satisfying work to support ourselves. The struggles and heartache we have suffered together have over time made us stronger. It has taken me years to find my way back to myself after loosing Olivia, I never could have made it without Jason by my side, accepting me and loving me no matter how messed up I was. I am truly blessed to have him as my Eternal Companion. We have also been through 9 years of schooling together achieving 2 bachelor’s degree’s, 1 master’s degree and a semester away from a 2nd master’s degree (that felt like an eternity), moving 7 times (the first 5 times were in the first two years of our marriage…what were we thinking??? The last, of course the most stressful, moving across the country). Lot’s of different jobs, finally settling into a real job and thinking we were joining the real world only to be laid off after 3 years. Which led to a time of unemployment and all the stress that brings (not a fun time). Church callings that have been both stressful and wonderful. Starting up a business, starving the first year and a half and then running like a chicken with it’s head cut off trying to keep up with running the business until we decided to sell. Crazy!!!

So yes, we have been through a lot together and I know life will bring more. But we will enjoy those sunsets together, we will laugh with our children and hide our tears as we watch them grow, we will enjoy our family and friends, we will be faithful and work hard and we will face whatever challenges come our way together…

This is us 15 years ago…

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