Sunday, May 18, 2008

Happy 6th Anniversary, Ben!

Oh, my Benny. After six years, you are still my world. Being married to you has been an incredible journey, and what great adventures we've had together!

Remember...
Oklahoma Christian University... God chose it while He was still forming us as the place where we would find each other.


Our very first date. We celebrated our birthdays together (at Walmart, ha ha), in 1999!

A. The first night we became an "official couple," Feb 2, 2000. B. The night you won Homecoming King (remember how I planted a big smacker on you when they announced it?!)

A. Intramurals B. Spring Sing 2000 (Good thing you let me keep my head!)

A. Our engagement pictures (you proposed in October 2001... I can still see your sweet face as we stood at "our" stop sign and you got down on one knee) B. OC Graduation, 2002 - 3 weeks until our wedding day!


Remember...
May 18, 2002 - the day I became your wife! I couldn't cry for smiling all day long. I can still feel your warm (sweaty) hand around mine; I can see your stunning blue eyes telling me there's nothing more you want in the world. (I know my roomies were just as excited as me, since they no longer had to watch me practice signing my new name!)

Remember...
A. Honeymoon in Vegas! B. Our first house, August 2003

Our last big "Hoorah" before starting our family! Europe, May 2006; what a beautiful time of exploration, adventure, snuggling and PIZZA.

Remember...
All of the times you've made me laugh until tears streamed from my eyes and my belly ached. Even now, when others might say we're too old, I never get tired of being silly and crazy with you. You have taught me how to truly let go and grasp hold of all life brings us.

The day you snuck into my grad school class, dressed as a nerd, WITH our dog (with a balloon tied to him) and a bouquet of roses, to wish me happy birthday!

A. The fort we built in our first home together (our apartment). B. Boomer Sooner!!

A. Your surprise Roman "costume" while we were in Rome. B. Our first anniversary in Florida.

Remember...
Our first babies. Even though I tend to ignore them a little now, you still have a soft spot for Brady and Hurley just like you always did.


Remember...
In October 2006 we found out there was a little one coming. We were so excited (and scared), but had no idea the ways she would mold and grow us!


Watching you be a Daddy to our little girl is unlike anything I ever imagined. It melts my heart every night when you sneak in to peek at her while she sleeps. I want to capture the image of you holding her on your lap, reading to her; I never want to forget the gorgeous, huge smile on her face when you get home from work or the way you sing silly songs to her and make her laugh.


After six years, two states, many jobs, two dogs, and a baby, I am more in love with you now than I have ever been. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us and our family in the years to come. You truly are my "real life fairy tale."

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, BABY!

11 comments:

Damon and Amy said...

You made me cry!!! I remember when it all began:) You guys make a wonderful couple and are wonderful parents to Sophie. Congratulations on 6 years of marriage and memories.

Rachel said...

I would have been crying except that I was laughing so hard! It was so fun to remember some of those moments myself. You guys are totally awesome! Congratulations on 6 years. We are so glad that we've been able to share some of those memories with you. Hey, we need to make some more--when can you come up north?

heather hub said...

what a sweet post! you guys are such an amazing couple...happy anniversary!

Jessica said...

Wow... I just got caught up on the years that I have missed "know you" Kelly! You graduated HS in 98 and as we went our seperate ways through college and newly weds we hardly even heard of each other. Now we keep up through seeing you here and there in Wichita and of course the blogs, but I had missed the entire middle section - so that was an amazing "catch up" for me of that block in your life! Congratualtions to you both, sounds like you have had a wonderful dating/married relationship! Can't wait to see you next weekend!

Anonymous said...

What a VERY sweet post.
Ben, thank you SO much for being such a wonderful husband to my sister!!! I am very thankful that you are so good to her, that you and Troy get along SO well and have so much fun together, and that you are my brother in law. The two of you are perfect together. Love you both!

Bertolli said...

I remember when you had a reception for your wedding in SLC and i got to meet my new cousin, I'm glad my new cousin was you.

Anonymous said...

Kelly,
What precious words and memories. You and Ben are a true inspiration to love. Yes I'm crying now. :) Thanks for all the pictures and memories I missed. Happy,Happy Anniversary. Wish I was there to babysit Sophie so you two could get away (I have a feeling you have a few built-in babysitters by now!
Ash

Sarah said...

What an amazing tribute!

(And I completely forgot that you got married on your sister's birthday!)

Anonymous said...

LOL! I remember when Ben came into our class for your birthday!! What a fun blog to read. Happy Anniversary. :) Love, Sarah Venable

Carrie said...

Happy Anniversary!!! I loved looking back on y'alls life together it brough back some good memories of college. Here's the years you've had so far and to many MANY more happy years.

Lisa said...

That was so sweet! You guys are definitely perfect for each other...and both so funny! :o) Hope you guys had a great anniversary and many more great years to come!