30 Days of Thankfulness ~ Day 21

On this day in history, I agreed to exclusively date a guy I had met earlier in the month.  I was slightly leery, since my divorce had just been final on November 1st.  On February 16th of the following year (yes, less than 3 months), I moved in with him.  On March 21st, 2 years later, he asked me to marry him.  August 7th the following year, we got married. 

It all started 13 years ago today.  Lucky #13!  We've been through our fair share of ups & downs... but through it all, he has supported me, defended me, given me everything I've ever wanted/needed and more.  He's a fabulous father to our two gorgeous daughters, a great provider, and my best friend. 

He pushes my buttons like only he can.  He believes in me.  He encourages me to be the best I can.  He restored my faith in the institution of marriage.  I love this man to the moon and back. 

Dan & I - Waikiki Beach - October 2005

 

Dan & I - 1 year anniversary - August 2005

 

Dan & I - Field Museum, Chicago - 2006

 

Dan, Emerald & I - Marshall Fields, Chicago - December 2009

 

Dan & I - our wedding day - August 2004

 

Dan & I bringing Ireland home from the hospital - March 2010

 

Dan, Ireland & I - 2010

 

Dan & I with our Harley - Coralville - 2011

Dan & I with Emerald for Coolidge Walk-A-Thon - September 2013

 

Dan & I - Hawkeye Christmas Party - December 2012

Day 3 ~ Thankful for my Hubby

On the anniversary of the date that I met my husband, I'm thankful for him. 

It was 2000 and I was fresh from a divorce.  When I say fresh, I mean fresh... like 2 days after my divorce was final.  Yep, that's fresh!  It was a Friday night and I was in Cedar Rapids for a birthday party for a friend at Borrowed Buck's Roadhouse.  I was looking good in my bar clothes when I caught a guy looking at me from across all of the pushed together tables.  Very good looking guy in jeans and a white shirt.  I smiled at him and I had butterflies when he returned my smile.  He finally came over and gave me his best pick up line, "So, you race cars?"  

Probably should give a little back story here... I was part of a large group of people who knew each other from a chat room on AOL.  Dan was new to the group, so I didn't know him yet.  My AOL screen name was racingbabe01.  His was HvyPickle... ahem. 

Back to my original story... "So, you race cars?"  I laughed and explained that I was going to race IMCA with my sister-in-law (side note, I'm also thankful I did NOT do that!), but wasn't currently racing.  He asked me to dance and we danced to Brian McKnight's "Back At One".  We danced our first dance at our wedding reception/dance to that song. 

We started officially dating on November 21st.  We just clicked... we both wanted the same things out of life, had many common interests, and most of all, we respected each other.  The only problem was that I lived in West Des Moines and he lived in Cedar Rapids.  It wasn't long into our relationship, we discussed the pros and cons, and we decided that I would quit my job and move in with Dan in Cedar Rapids.

Two years later, we got engaged.  In another year and a half, we were married.  We've been married for 8 years now (together for 12).  We've had more than our fair share of bumps along our journey, but we've grown from each and every one of them.  More than that, Dan makes me a better person ~ he's taught me that no one has the right to use me as a doormat and I must stand up for myself.  He gave me the confidence that I could go to college and be successful.  He's the best father to our girls ~ involved, loving and caring.  I know there is nothing that he wouldn't do for me or our daughters. 

Each and every day, although I may not show it well, I am thankful for him.

Waikiki Beach, 2005 ~ Day 1 of our honeymoon!  Can't wait to go back someday!

Our 1 year anniversary, 2005, Noel Ridge Park ~ he planned a wonderful picnic

Field Museum, 2006, Chicago ~ on recommendation of his dad, we saw the King Tut exhibit.  Very cool!

Marshall Field's, 2009, Chicago ~ this was the last time we were in Chicago, we need to go back!

Our wedding day, 2004 ~ my favorite picture.  There's a 20x40 of this in our living room.

Harley ride, Coralville, 2010 ~ love riding behind him on the bike!

Hawkeye Christmas Party, Davenport, 2011 ~ always have a great time!!