E I G H T Y E A R S
Happy weekend, everyone! As many of you probably already know, the 22nd is on Sunday. I have mentioned the significance of this date many times prior to this post, but if you are just tuning in to my blog, Sunday represents the very first day that Tony Harper and I officially became a couple in the dating world. For those of you who know us, the story of how we met is not a secret.
We attended the same school, the same church, and grew up about five miles from each other. We had been friends since we were young. With the start of a new school year, many people noticed we had been "talking" (the clever term used when you were interested in someone). With Homecoming fast approaching, Tony secured his spot as my date (via my best friend, Codi), however we were not yet "going out." On Thursday, September 22, 2005, Tony was ready to take the next step for high school love. Once he was finished with football practice, he waited for me to finish with dance practice. While we were standing next to the picnic tables waiting for my Momma to pick me up, he asked me to be his Girlfriend! I have always joked with him that his interest in me spiked only because of the dance skirt and blonde hair (which was fake), but I guess he does not mind my physical appearance changes through the past years and obviously has decided to stick around.
We attended the same school, the same church, and grew up about five miles from each other. We had been friends since we were young. With the start of a new school year, many people noticed we had been "talking" (the clever term used when you were interested in someone). With Homecoming fast approaching, Tony secured his spot as my date (via my best friend, Codi), however we were not yet "going out." On Thursday, September 22, 2005, Tony was ready to take the next step for high school love. Once he was finished with football practice, he waited for me to finish with dance practice. While we were standing next to the picnic tables waiting for my Momma to pick me up, he asked me to be his Girlfriend! I have always joked with him that his interest in me spiked only because of the dance skirt and blonde hair (which was fake), but I guess he does not mind my physical appearance changes through the past years and obviously has decided to stick around.
Defined by many at the time, we were considered to be "going out" however Tony was 17 and I was only 15. My parents did not allow me to "ride around" with anyone older than me nor could I talk on the phone for more than 20 minutes, and I certainly could not go on dates. Regardless of strict parenting, Tony patiently "went out" with me only during school hours and extracurricular events. Eventually, he and I started the dating experience through the rest of my high school career and his college career as he moved to Tuscaloosa. Through the ups and downs of life, my transition into college, my family's move to Louisiana, our long distance engagement, and today, our long distance marriage, we have stuck together and grown so much. Throughout the past eight years, we have matured from the statuses of "going out" to "dating" to "long distance travelers" and now "marriage partners." Although our relationship has not been like most, we have had many experiences and opportunities to explore and grow in life and love ranging from Atlanta to New Orleans.
As I have said before, I truly believe marriage is the best blessing and challenge the Lord can bestow upon a dating couple ready to tackle the next chapter in life and love. Although Tony and I thought we knew everything about each other before starting our marriage, I can say we have learned so much about each other and about ourselves in the past fifteen months. Living together does not change who you are or what you represent as a couple, but it does change how you work together and support each other during different situations. Every single day he is there for me in so many ways, and I cannot even begin to describe how awesome it is to know that even though we are not always together.
I believe fairy tales are very possibly, however love stories are even better! As a little girl I would always dream of my Prince Charming. However, my fairy tale has turned much better in real life all thanks to the man I share this crazy ride with. Taking the plunge into marriage was a scary thought at the time, but it has been one of the best decisions Tony and I have ever made. He stepped out on a limb by himself for me, and together we made a decision for us and for our future, not for anyone else. At the time, it was one of the biggest steps we had taken together as a couple. Love is a beautiful thing and finally being married is worth all the time we spent apart and that which was and is still sacrificed from time to time. Sharing life with your best friend makes things all the better. I sure cannot say "the end" because we are still writing our love story, so... to love, laughter, and happily ever after. He has been so faithful.
I believe fairy tales are very possibly, however love stories are even better! As a little girl I would always dream of my Prince Charming. However, my fairy tale has turned much better in real life all thanks to the man I share this crazy ride with. Taking the plunge into marriage was a scary thought at the time, but it has been one of the best decisions Tony and I have ever made. He stepped out on a limb by himself for me, and together we made a decision for us and for our future, not for anyone else. At the time, it was one of the biggest steps we had taken together as a couple. Love is a beautiful thing and finally being married is worth all the time we spent apart and that which was and is still sacrificed from time to time. Sharing life with your best friend makes things all the better. I sure cannot say "the end" because we are still writing our love story, so... to love, laughter, and happily ever after. He has been so faithful.
As crazy as it may seem, we are loving marriage, the working world, and Birmingham. While we only lived together for eight months before Tony's job transitioned our marriage into a long distance relationship, we are so grateful the Lord saw fit for us to share life and love even while my husband is away. In the time that he has been away from home we have truly learned to cope and live to the best of our ability. Our foundation is stronger and our relationship is definitely stronger. Although the circumstances were not favorable, I am thankful for this season because it has strengthen our marriage, personal lives, and our dependence on Jesus.
As we celebrate fifteen months of marriage,I have so much hope and joy for what our future may bring (Hopefully my husband will be home for good for Christmas!). Every once in a while, in the middle of an ordinary life, love really does gives us a fairytale. :)
We love because He first loved us.
1 John 4:7
Many waters cannot quench this love, nor can floods drown it. Song of Solomon 8:7
I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3
As we celebrate fifteen months of marriage,I have so much hope and joy for what our future may bring (Hopefully my husband will be home for good for Christmas!). Every once in a while, in the middle of an ordinary life, love really does gives us a fairytale. :)
We love because He first loved us.
1 John 4:7
Many waters cannot quench this love, nor can floods drown it. Song of Solomon 8:7
I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3
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