Ten Years Together

Happy 10th Anniversary!

It all started with just some chance encounters and a few people in common and we finally had a chance to talk we just spent all our time together until we just knew it was right. It was fast and crazy but it was right and it was worth it. Then 10 year ago today, December 27, 1997, Doug and I were sealed together for time and all eternity in the San Diego temple. It was a beautiful day and the beginning of forever together. The years have gone by so quickly and yet at the same time, it all seems so long ago! So much has happened in these ten years and we're still here, still in love and making a life together. Everything changes so much everyday, it's a constant challenge to bend and mold ourselves to make it all fit together. We've had our ups and downs but through it all we continue to realize we are truly stronger together than not. If we stick to each other's side, we can make it through anything.

We have 3 beautiful boys who we adore even when they are driving us completely mad! We live for our family! Each member bringing their own special charm and love to our home. We've learned much about ourselves, both emotionally and physically. In ten years' time, we have learned about Fragile X and more about genetics than I think either of us ever thought would be necessary but we have learned to see it all as a blessing. We wouldn't change David or Nathan or Jonathan no matter what. They are who they are and we love them each individually and equally. David with his "catch phrases" that are always changing and evolving. We have watched him grow and learn and develop in so many ways, some things we never thought would be possible and he has proved us wrong many times. Nathan is such a sweet brother. He takes care of his big and little brothers better than anyone else could. He is truly their guardian angel! Jonathan has shown us that Fragile X doesn't have to be so scary. He is such a blessing, a miracle to us. I have watched each of us respond to him in a way that I've not seen before. David adores him and is constantly wanting to help in any way he can. He will stop whatever he is doing if it means he can spend time with Jonathan. Nathan is a great big brother and he loves to teach Jonathan games and make him laugh. Doug and I have been touched by his sweet spirit as well. We really believe he is our miracle baby. He was meant to be ours and we have embraced that completely. He has brought us closer in many ways. Doug has been so much more involved in the everyday things with Jonathan than he ever has been before. I think Jonathan is just too precious for anyone to resist spending time with him, even if it is changing his diaper or feeding him a bottle in the middle of the night!

As for Doug and I, we've both experienced our ups and downs physically and emotionally but we've learned so much about ourselves and about each other and we continue to learn new things all the time. I have no doubt that Doug and I were meant to be together forever and we will be. He is my strength and my rock and my best friend. No matter what happens, I always know I have him by my side. He has supported me in many various endeavors from new hobbies to a local Fragile X conference, spreading Fragile X awareness, to picking me up when I've been down and just being there, holding me when I needed someone to love me. I know I can always be myself, totally and completely, free of judgement, with Doug. He loves me completely even with all my faults and quirks, he loves me unconditionally and that is why I love him so much. He loves me in spite of all my craziness and ups and downs and his love is always there. He is a wonderful father and I see my boys eyes light up when they get to spend time with him, wrestling or going to the park or playing ball or just watching tv or a movie and sharing a bowl of his special parmesan popcorn. That makes me love him even more to know that he is such a wonderful dad to our boys and that he makes a point to spend special time with them. He loves them and he loves me. What more could a girl ask for?