September 5, 2004

Twelve years ago today Kenny and I said “I Do”.  I cannot believe it’s been twelve years! Time DOES fly when you’re having fun!  Two houses later and two kids later, we are still standing and enjoying life together.

Most of these pictures are of us on our anniversary over the years.  Many years we’ve gone to dinner (without the kids usually but some years with them), and the last several years, we’ve left the kids with Mom and Dad and enjoyed a few days away together. (Thank you, Mom & Dad!)

Most of you have heard our story before, but thought I’d share it here.

Kenny and I met in the summer of 2000, right after I’d moved to CO.  He was hired the same summer at ECA so we were co-workers first.  That was also the same fall that our church began a new singles group.  And, Kenny and I were both really involved there. Kenny was my friend first, and we spent countless hours hanging out and talking on the phone.

Wedding Rehearsal

Months later Kenny asked if I wanted to start dating, and at the time, I wasn’t interested.  I
SO enjoyed his friendship, but had moved to CO with a purpose of staying single for a long while and doing life on my own for a bit.  Kenny continued to stay friends with me which said so much about his character.  I believe at that point he decided he would just have to work a little harder to woo me.

And woo me he did.  He left flowers and a trail of rose petals in my classroom, sent notes and cards of endearment, and took me out for fancy dinners.  He continued to spend time with me and our friendship quickly grew.

We began dating and it was during this time that I very clearly heard direction from God that Kenny was to be my husband.  I didn’t hear an audible voice, but during times of prayer and asking God for direction, I felt confident He was pointing directly to Kenny.
I realized God had completely changed my heart towards Kenny and I had fallen in love with him.

We continued to date with the intention of one day marrying.  We dated for a total of three years and often I wondered if Kenny would ever propose.  Little did I know that he had a plan and was just carrying it through one step at a time.  He waited to propose until he had completely paid off a ring for me and landed an awesome, stable job.  We weren’t moving forward until he could provide for us, and we definitely weren’t moving forward with debt. What a loving, thoughtful, and responsible guy this was.

Kenny proposed on May 30, 2004 and we were married just three months later on September 5, 2004.  Our day was so much fun and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.  We often say that if we could do that day over (without all the planning), we would in a heartbeat.  We couldn’t believe that we were finally married.

The years since have been full of adventure.  We have been through beautiful and hard times both.  The birth of James and Anna…the rough times over the years with continuing health issues.  We are blessed beyond what we deserve and we are so very thankful. Isn’t that what the gospel is all about?  None of us are deserving of any grace, but God in His ultimate mercy, chooses to bless His children.  What a good, good Father we have.

Kenny, I love you dearly and thank God for you daily.  You are an incredible husband and father and model every day what it means to serve.  You think of the needs of myself and the kids over your own day after day; thank you.  You are an excellent provider for us, enabling me to stay home with the kids all these years.  Thank you.  You are kind, compassionate, and funny.  You still make me laugh and I love that.

I love you, dear husband, and look forward to the next twelve!

2016 Anniversary