Today is Todd and my 9 year anniversary. I thought I would use this post to tell those of you who haven't known us for 9 years how we met. I'll just start by telling you we were both 20 when we got married (in case you were trying to do the math). I realize 20 is young, but Todd and I had already been dating for over 3 years.
We met our sophomore year of high school at our church youth group, although we weren't interested in each other at first. In fact, I dated one of his best friends for several months. That year, Todd and I went on several double dates together but with different people. The following summer (before our junior year), we were both single and all of the sudden starting "noticing" each other. We hung out a lot- mainly with big groups of friends, but I often felt like it was just the 2 of us. Finally my good friend said, "look, it's obvious you two really like each other. You always flirt with each other, you're spending a lot of time together, you need to DTR.". I had no idea what this meant. Apparently it stood for determine the relationship. I guess I told Todd what she said and we decided to officially start dating. That was August 20, 1998. The rest is history. No, actually we did have a bump or two in the road. A little over a year later we broke up. I knew something was off. Todd had gone back to a different school to finish off his senior year. I think it was a combination of him wanting some free time to hang out with his friends and not be tied down and also all the big decisions you make your last year of high school. Anyway, I remember bringing it up to him at the burger king after youth group one night. Both our sisters were there- sitting in a booth across the restaurant- I'm sure trying to hear and trying to come up with a plan on how they could still be "sisters" if we were truly breaking up. And, that is what we did. I will say it was definitely a very hard time for me, and I later found out that Todd had a difficult time too and when he went home that night he told his mom, "I don't know what I just did.". Well, inevitably we saw each other on Sundays and Wednesdays. Bour families still hung out (our parents even took a cruise together that year). And I tried to move on.
In March of my senior year, I went on a mission trip to Haiti. While on that trip, I had a crush on one of the other team members (one 2 years younger!). Anyway, when we got back, we dated a little. I think everyone, including my friend that had told me to DTR with Todd, knew it was just a fling and wouldn't last. However, also when I got back from my trip Todd had called. I really didn't know what to think. I called home back, and would you believe I told him about this guy. I think I was definitely trying to make him jealous (he'll admit it worked) and trying to get back at him a little. Well, I did break up with that guy, and Todd and I did get back together, but we kept it pretty low key until the end of the school year. I still hadnt decided on a college and his school wouldn't allow him to go to my Prom (I didnt want to miss it though). However, once all that was out of the way, we were just like before. Two young kids in love, driving our crazy sisters around in the back of the convertible- threatening them if they didn't be quiet or leave us alone we would drop them off somewhere and leave. Those were the days!
I know this is getting long- maybe you aren't even reading anymore. But, after high school, Todd started drafting school- a 16 month program straight through. I finished my first year at Northwestern College but decided I wanted to go into nursing so I would transfer the following year to Bethel. The summer of 2001, we got engaged on August 20th- 3 years after we started dating the first time. We planned to rollerblade around Normandale lake in Bloomington. Todd had arranged for a little blanket to be set out off the path a little in the woods. There were candles (maybe not the best idea with all the trees and grass around), some crackers and cheese and grapes, and some drinks. Then, he pulled out the ring, which was wrapped up in a Kleenex or napkin because he had on shorts for rollerblading and I would have seen a box. He got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. You know my answer. Then, we planted a little evergreen tree. Wish I could say it was still alive but I really don't know. We've been back a few times, but then it got hard to find, and we kind of stopped going. I would like to look again and show the kids.
Well, long story short, we got married July 20th, 2002 at Northwestern College. We lived in Little Canada in a condo while I went through nursing school. Todd had finished and was working full-time. He went back to school once I finished in 2004. It has been a crazy but fun journey. I don't know if I could go back and change things if I would. I love our life. We have been blessed with 2 wonderful kids. Todd, you are an amazing husband, dad, supporter, and friend. I love you!!
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