Back when it all began...we were babies (18 & 16). When we left the house that night, my dad told my mom that I'd just left with their son-in-law so she'd better get used to him. Father's intuition...
Seven years... That is such a hard number for me to wrap my head around. How on earth have we already been married for seven years?
Hunter,
There are a lot of things I really don't like about our right now.
I hate your turnaround work schedule.
I hate how stressed out you have been lately and that it's made you snore again.
I hate that our future plans just got thrown up in the air.
I hate that we can't fully and completely be overwhelmed with and solely focused on this pregnancy.
I hate that I'm moody most of the time, most days.
I hate that we are always busy.
But...
I love us so much.
I love our little girl and I'm already pretty smitten with our little boy.
I love how you make me giggle.
I love how my head fits perfectly in your chest when we hug.
I love our memories and I love our friends.
I love the few moments of downtime we get together.
I love how you lead our family, but never overshadow me. I love that we are a team.
I love that no matter how up in the air everything else is, we are grounded together.
It's not always easy, it's not always fun, it's not always what we ever expected; but there is no journey I would choose to walk other than ours.
It's you and me, babe. Forever.
Let's never stop dancing. Minefields and all.
Happy Anniversary
Six years I've been lucky enough to be married to that stud of mine. He is one cool cat who stole my heart immediately. That big ole frame just houses my big ole teddy bear, who's strong for me all the time but also tender with the hearts of those he loves. And giggle--oh he can make me giggle!
We just fit. Like two peas in a pod. Like cheese in macaroni. Like perfection.
Here's to six years, my love! And so many more that we almost lose count...almost...
Today marks 37 years of wedded bliss for my parents--what an accomplishment! Especially in today's society, that number is so special to me, and I only pray it grows higher than any of us ever dreamed.
Their marriage has given me the example of dedication to live out in my own. Don't give up--tough it out. Don't betray--have their back. Don't belittle--uplift.
Thanks for sticking to your vows and living out your promises; for loving each other through every up and down and twist and turn that life has put in your path; for living a faithful life; for raising three independent daughters who live in love with Jesus; for making it this far and still going strong.
I hope that you enjoy the day celebrating the gift you have been to one another!
I have a husband. Some days that thought still blows my mind a little. I mean, I'm still just a kid, right?
Part of the reason I feel that way is probably because I was just a kid when we got married. There, I said it. We were young. But do I regret it? Not in the slightest. Do I think it was the right decision for us? Without a doubt.
Hunter is the only real boyfriend I've ever had (you know, besides those elementary school ones...). He's the only person I've ever kissed. He's the only person I've ever fully trusted with my heart.
Five years ago, we publicly promised our lives to each other. Not just in the happy times, but in the hard times. Not just when we feel good, but when life just plain sucks. Not to like each other all the time, but to love each through it all. To take care of each other; to be honest with and trust each other; to tough it out; to beat the odds; to stay together and love each other until death separates us.
We had already been together for over four years by the time we got married. All of these years together with him have been incredible. We have traveled to amazing places including Alaska and Roatan; we have gone on two mission trips to Honduras, once dating and once married; we have mourned together the losses of family members and close friends; we have been supported our friends through their weddings and their babies; we have both graduated High School and college; we have moved and bought a house; we both began our careers; we have had a beautiful and perfect daughter; we have walked with each other through the dark times divorce brings, both of family and close friends; we have and continue to work for the Lord's kingdom, particularly the youth group; we've taken care of each other through sicknesses and surgeries; we have been through two major hurricanes hitting our town; we have made each other giggle so much we cried innumerable times; we have grown up together and grown together; we have made our years count.
I guess we're not technically newlyweds anymore. Is 5 years the milestone that makes you an old married couple? I feel like it's a milestone of some sort.
Hunter Paul, you are my absolute favorite. You make my heart smile. Thank you for protecting me, for making me a wife and mama, for believing in and standing up for me, for loving me in spite of (of maybe because of!) my quirks. These past five years--FIVE years!--have flown by. You'll always be my boyfriend.
It's me and you, babe. Forever.
His Senior Prom--I was a sophomore (which he asked me to on our first "date"--a week and a half before the dance...). 2003
The night of my 16th birthday party (also the night he kissed me for the first time :))
My Junior Homecoming. 2003
Our first Christmas together. 2003
My Junior Prom. 2004
My sister's wedding (about a week after the one above this...notice the hair...I was so ticked at the time...). 2004
Our second Christmas. 2004
My Senior Prom. 2005
LA Tech Bulldogs! First football game, 2005
Honduras Mission Trip. 2006
My 19th birthday. 2006
He proposed...
and I said yes... 2006.
So we got married... August 25, 2007
2007
Thanksgiving 2008
LTC 2009
Alaska 2009
and then there were three... 2011
We couldn't be happier. Loving life and loving each other. Just Dancin' Through the Minefields...
love, angie
I guess we're not technically newlyweds anymore. Is 5 years the milestone that makes you an old married couple? I feel like it's a milestone of some sort.
Our first dance as husband and wife, "When I Said 'I Do'". This song is still so special to us--the words speak so truly about the commitment.
My cake--trimmed with Christmas ornaments and Mardi Gras beads
Memory table for our loved ones who couldn't be there with us. Ricky Courmier--Hunter's uncle who was killed in a car accident a few days after Hunter was born; ET Browning, my grandfather "PawPaw"; Gordie Lee Thurston, my great-grandmother "Nanny Thurston"; George Emmit Thurston, my grandfather "Poppie"; Fred Romero, a dear friend of mine who was serving in the US Navy and couldn't come.
Father/Daughter Dance
Mother/Son dance
Our fantastic bridal party! It truly is better when we're together...
And we're off!
It seems like that all happened last week! Time really does fly when you're having fun. And that's one of the best pieces of advice we were ever given, and now we give it to others--never stop dating. Keep the fun alive and it makes the difficult times a little easier.
I have truly been so blessed through the gift of my husband. He serves as my reality check as well as my escape from the mundane. He's my support system and my constant encouragement. He provides for me and protects me. He tells me the truth even when I don't want to hear or accept it. He's my teammate, my helper, and my best friend.
Life has already brought us on some major roller coaster rides. But because of our unwavering devotion to Jesus as well as to each other, we have never even thought of separating ourselves in the midst of turmoil. Things have tried to come between us, but we choose to remain closer than ever. There would be no need for the promises made through vows if marriage was always easy. We take those vows we said with the utmost sincerity and plan to live this dream to the fullest.
He's the only man I've ever kissed. In over 8 years, we never broke up or even "took a break". We've learned each others habits and personalities so well that it's sometimes kind of scary! Now we have the pleasure of being blessed with starting a family together. I can't wait to see how much this little angel changes our lives and brings us even closer together.
