Where has the time gone? Today, Ben and I are celebrating our third year of marriage. Ben and I grew up together going to the same church and the same school. Since we are a few years apart, we both knew of each other, but we never really spoke. In March 2012, my mom had mentioned to me that Ben was back in town and he was a “single bachelor.” If anyone knows my mom she loves to play match-maker! I was bartending at our local Country Club and Ben had came in to eat. He had such a long beard and long shaggy hair that I barley recognized him! Needless to say, I wasn’t too interested at first. About a month later, I was bartending for a going away party and Ben had shown up. He looked completely different from the last time I saw him! He had a nice short haircut and a short beard. I was instantly attracted! My mother was also at this party and she eventually got a hold of him and started telling him all about me and worst of all, that I was very single! We spoke for a little bit throughout the night, but it didn’t amount to anything.

Another month later, I was working when Ben came in with his older brother, Sam, and sister-in-law, Stacy. We played a few bar games (I took quite a bit of his money!), I flirted a little and we began to talk. When Ben had stepped out for a couple of minutes, Sam started to grill me on my relationship status and if I would consider going on a date with Ben. In an effort to get Ben and I together, Sam and Stacy left him at the bar for me to bring home! I started closing the bar and Ben asked me if I’d like to go out on a date sometime. I was a little surprised, but I said yes!

We ended up going on a date a few weeks later. We had finished our meal, but we sat and talked for another 4 hours! I could tell that night he was something special. We were never apart again after that day!

On this day three years ago, we were married in front of all our close family at the Justice of the Peace. It was a simple, yet perfect little wedding. We had our ceremony, took a few pictures, and had an amazing dinner together with our family. We couldn’t have asked for anything more!

So much has happened in these short three years together.. we got married, bought a house, had little Benjamin, started renovating our home, lived with both our parents, lived in a camper for a few months, had our big wedding with all our family/friends, moved into our home with just the bare minimum (toilet/sink), we continue to live through our home renovation towards completion, we’ve changed careers, we’ve fought, we’ve made up and we’ve loved hard.

Ben, I want you to know this: Despite all of our ups and downs, our highs and lows, I love you more than words can express. I’m so unbelievably lucky that you chose to do life with me, to raise children with me, to grow old with me. I couldn’t ask for anything more.