Happy Anniversary, Ace

That's right. We are celebrating 8 years today.

I was a bride at age 20-- I don't think anyone should make THAT kind of decision at such a young age. I was carefree, independent and didn't want to get married. But I knew it was right, and I couldn't pass up such a great guy! It's crazy to think that I made such a HUGE decision without really knowing what I was getting into. I thought I knew Aaron well before we got married, but I had NO idea how much he would affect my life. I was strong-headed, self-sufficient and didn't want to settle down. But something about Aaron made me change. I quickly became helpless, 'hopelessly devoted' and completely dependent on him. I love it and HATE it at the same time! After a few short years of being married to Aaron, it seems impossible to try to live without him. There are a million reasons why I love my husband, but today I am making a list of EIGHT-- because I am cheesy like that.

1. He has a forgiving heart. About ten minutes before we were married, we were sitting on the couch in the celestial room of the Salt Lake Temple having a sweet conversation. I looked him in eyes and said, "I think I am going to throw up." He put his arm around me and untied my dress at the waist so I could breathe. He told me he would forget what I said and marry me anyway. And last week when I said, "I can't believe it's already been 7 years." He kindly corrected me- "No, it's actually 8 years" without taking it personal (something I would have done.) What a mighty good man!

2. He's righteous. We were married on a Friday, spent one night at Anniversary Inn in Salt Lake and on Saturday, drove to Vail, Colorado. On the drive to Vail, we happened to get stuck in traffic because of a terrible wreck in the canyon. Of course, it wasn't a big deal because we were happy being together and were not on any type of schedule, but when we arrived at our condo in Vail, it was much later than we expected. We brought in our luggage and I was about to go and put on something a little more comfortable, when Aaron said to me, "We better run to the store and get some food for tomorrow." I was totally shocked because the last thing I was thinking about was groceries. We were newlyweds and we had JUST arrived at our place and he was thinking about keeping the Sabbath Day holy? That is Aaron for you. As we were grocery shopping I realized that THIS what was our marriage would be like.. I married a man who puts God first and I love and respect him for that. He ALWAYS does the right, honest, good thing. I am truly privileged to learn from his example on a daily basis.

3. He knows me better than anyone. The other day I was in the worst mood. I was tired and hot and hungry and we were stuck in the car doing something I didn't want to do. I was complaining about one thing or another and Aaron started laughing.. which made me mad. When I asked him WHAT was so funny, he said, "I love you because I could pull over at any gas station and get you a cold drink and you're personality would do a 180." And then I laughed because I knew he was right. He got me a drink and I was a changed woman.

4. His side of the room is ALWAYS tidier than mine. Aaron is a clean freak and I love it. The toilet seat is always down, he puts everything in it's place, and he always clears his plate from the table AND washes it. Not once have I ever folded a batch of laundry and had a single sock of Aaron's without it's match--because that just not his style. I didn't know I won the jack pot until after we got married and I am so glad he is patient with my messiness.

5. He can make me laugh like no one else. It's not exactly WHAT Aaron says that makes him funny but the way he delivers it. I love that he does crazy things just to get a smile out of me. He will moon me when I am on an important telephone call or tell me something totally out of line during church. Last week when we went to his grandpa's funeral, he kept saying things to me as though he was a psycho-abusive husband who was about to harm me. I know that doesn't actually sound funny to any of you, but trust me, it was laugh-out-loud HILARIOUS. He came up from behind me at the grave site, and whispered in my ear, "If you ever leave me, I'll kill you. If I can't have you, NO ONE can. You better watch yourself because you'll end up in a casket." Anyone who saw us together was probably thinking, "What a sweet guy... he just gave an awesome dedicatory prayer and is now saying something meaningful to his wife." Little did they know...

6. He's constant. Aaron is who he is and no one is going to change that. He is level-headed and always calm. His advice is incredible and he often puts me in my place. I need to be married to someone in control because I am seriously a roller coaster. I am either up or down, hot or cold.. and he keeps me grounded. I honestly cannot imagine where I would be without him. He is my rock.

7. He is an incredible athlete. Aaron not only loves to watch sports, but he LOVES to play. He makes it a priority to exercise and it's inspiring. Most weeks he plays tennis, basketball AND volleyball.. that's not easy to do when you don't have a lot of extra time, but Aaron does it. I love watching him play because he gets competitive but never looses his cool. He is a natural. He still holds the reigning ping-pong title at Gonzaga law school because no one could beat him. (I know I sound like Pam from the office bragging about Jim's ping-pong playing...) But seriously, my man gotz skillz.

8. He's the most humble person I know. In my eyes, Aaron is practically perfect. But he never lets it go to his head and that's exactly what makes him so incredible. Aaron never seeks for attention. He is such a great example to me because I have always had a desire to be in the spotlight. But he doesn't NEED people to notice him because he's comfortable just being himself. And that's why I am crazy about him!

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Aaron and I have a lot of pictures together, but these are two of my favorites. They were both taken by Aaron's mom and were both captured in the moment.. I'm sure that's why I love them so.

This is us in Hawaii, just waking up from a comfortable night's sleep on an air mattress.. I'm sure neither of us realized this picture was being taken, but I love it because it's so US. Most nights I end up discarding my pillow to lay on Aaron-- and at least once a week he's complaining that I've cut off the circulation in his arm.


This is us squished on a little couch, eating ice cream and looking at Aaron's mission pictures. We are often sitting on the same chair or laying in an area that is only big enough for ONE of us.. I just love being around Aaron and I am so glad I get to spend the rest of my life with him!

Here's to a wonderful (but not exactly easy) 7 years 8 years...
and another FOREVER more to go.