I Love the way you Love me

I have got to be one of the luckiest women in the world, when it comes to having a great husband. Derek and I met 15 years ago in July of 1993. We married in January 1994. (I know fast!) This has to be my all time greatest decision I have ever made in my life. Life has been a challenge at times (as it is for everyone.) but being married to your best friend, can sure make those challenges much easier. Nothing in our life is "picture perfect". Not even close! (We have 5 kids, not possible.) Derek and I get annoyed with eachother at times, I yell my kids for leaving their clothes on the bathroom floor, Laundry is an endless abyss, My health has not been what I thought it would be. Yet Derek seems to keep our house and our family going. And he keeps me going. We also owe some marital sucess to 2 great books; "The Pamered Wife" by Mark Douglas & "The Proper Care & Feeding of Husbands" by Dr. Laura. When I get depressed, overwhelmed, anxious, worried etc. Derek knows how to make me laugh & keeps me going. I know not everyone has a great companion in their life and I feel very grateful that I do. (It also could be that we watch Everyone Loves Raymond and any husband looks good compared to Raymond. ;)jk

Derek and I did not have the ideal first date. Their was no love at first sight, no "call me". I ran to the front door said,"Goodnight." and shut the door. He was not expecting a kiss or a hug, but he was not expecting a door slammed in his face either. (That's a whole other story.) But for some reason Derek called me the following Monday because although our date was blah, we did have a great time talking on the phone (and he was bored.) We decided to go out again and we went with a friend of his and his date. The date was better then the first, but still I just could not relax. After golfing & bowling, we dropped off his friend's date and the three of us were driving to Ivins. Their was a Ray Stevens song playing in the CD player about a Pirate who wanted to sing and dance. Derek and his buddy, Mark, sung to their hearts content. I realized in that moment that this guy (Derek) doesn't care if I think he is being goofy or "not cool" because he was going to have fun even if I (his Date) chose not to and I LOVED THAT!! I was able to relax because Derek was relaxed in being himself. That to me was a a trait that I admired and rarely saw. He has been making me laugh ever since.

Sure, it has not been all flowers and hollyhocks since we met 15 years ago. We have had our share of disagreements. But thats OK, because making-up is sure fun. Derek thanks for fifteen great years. I hope we have a thousand more together.