October 21st

To some this day holds no significance. But to the Hubs and I... it was a game changer. October 21st, 1998 was when I went on my first date with my future husband.

We met working at a pizza restaurant called Beau Jo's, famous for it's Colorado Mountain Pies! I was a high school cheerleader by day and a hostess at the restaurant by night. I was a quintessential "good girl" loving the high school experience and completely unaware of what I was in for when the super hot cook asked me out on a date.

We had known each other for some time but he worked full-time during the day and since I was in high school my hours were part-time and on the evenings and weekends. We started to get to know each other at mutual friends parties and the attraction was present from the start.

I was completely infatuated with this guy! I liked him because he was tall and handsome and he was what most would consider a "bad boy." He had tattoos and he was 20 years old!!!! I was only 17.

I vividly remember him asking me out to dinner and then going home to tell my dad. {gulp} I said, "hey dad, how old is too old when it comes to dating?" My sweet father said, "get to the point, Kendra." I replied, "Weeeeeell, there's this guy... he's 20 and..." Dad didn't even let me finish! He quickly said, "NO."

It's a good thing mom had some pull in the situation AND, sorry dad, but I would have gone anyway. ;)

So there I was, out on a date with a guy that literally made me weak in the knees. We went to Red Lobster and then to a movie. It was a really fun night. But the magic happened when we said good night. We shared a very sweet and simple kiss and as he walked back up to his house (yes, I drove... it's a long story but makes for a good laugh) I started to get tears in my eyes. Once he was out of sight I sat in my car holding my breath and saying, "I love him, I love him, I love him. I am going to marry that man."

And that's just what I did!

I've spent the past 14 years with the man of my dreams and the love of my life. He is my favorite person in the whole world and I can't imagine life without him. We've grown and changed over the years but the core of our relationship and love we share hasn't faltered. We've struggled and had defeating days but the triumphs and the successes are far greater.

We've never stopped talking and sharing, no matter how difficult the conversation may be. But most importantly, we've never stopped laughing! 

Even if we are in a room together absolutely quiet with nothing to do, I'm happy and content because being with him is far better than not.

So why now? Why bring all of this up today? I bring it up because our beloved 1st Date Anniversary came and went this year without so much as a hug in memorandum or an anecdote from that night 14 years ago. There was no date night out, no dinner specialty made at home, there was nothing. Nada. We fell prey to the daily grind and October 21st fell unceremoniously by the wayside.

But leave it to Hubs to remedy that! I was surprised earlier this week by a single orange rose and a card sitting on our dinning room table. Hubby pointed out that our treasured day went unacknowledged and he wanted to remember it. Because some days that "good girl" and that "bad boy" need to be remembered! Without that first date we wouldn't have all of the fond memories of good times and adventures that came after it. Without that first date we would have never been married. Without that first date we would not have our amazing son or our daughter on the way.

I'm so incredibly thankful for my husband. He is a good man and there are no words that do justice for what a wonderful father he is. Parenthood has definitely challenged our marriage and relationship more than anything we've experienced in our 14 years as a couple, but we strive to get through each hurdle together and to be stronger on the other side.

October 21st was a game changer for sure...

To my husband,

I love and adore you more than words can say. Our first date was unforgettable (even though we kind of, sort of forgot it this year, but since now we've recognized it it still holds the "unforgettable" status). Thank you for loving me and for being by my side through everything in the past, today and for what's still in store.

You will forever be my most favorite person in the world!