A tribute to my Sweetheart (warning..this is long)

Today is our anniversary. It's been 15 wonderful years. It hasn't always been easy, but even with the ups and downs our relationship has been through, we are still best friends and lovers.

Kevin and I met at a Country/Western dance in Snowflake, Arizona. He was sooooo cute in his tight wranglers (yes...wrangler butts drive me nuts!), navy blue shirt and cowboy hat. I loved the way his shirt brought out his beautiful blue eyes even more. I was there with my friend and her boyfriend (can you say fifth wheel?) and hiding in the back against the wall watching them dance. Suddenly Kevin just came up to me, took my hand and led me to the dance floor. I had such a good time that night.

Our single adult group was pretty diverse and spread out since there wasn't enough singles in any one town for a ward. So the kids from Show Low, Pinedale, Clay Springs, Taylor, Snowflake, and Pinetop/Lakeside would all hang out together. We'd rotate each activity to different towns, but the dance lessons were always in Show Low.

My friend Amy and I taught the lessons and soon Kevin started to join us. He would say a few words to me and smile...just enough to set my heart to beating wildly and then usually pick someone else as a partner (and I can tell you that used to make me so mad!) Then, he started showing up at all the dances too. I remember about the third dance he'd been to, we were dancing to a romantic song, and I looked at him and right then, I KNEW that he was going to be mine.

We were pretty much inseperable from then on. He announced his intention to propose in October, then actually proposed in January.

My parents are the kind where the guy has to ask for the bride's hand in marriage, so Kevin mustered up his courage and came to see them. All of my brothers and sisters hid behind the counter in the kitchen to listen (and giggle) and Mom and Dad grilled him thoroughly as well as let him know about all my flaws (I have flaws?!?!?), but in the end, he made it through and we started making plans.

We picked June 4, 1993 to be sealed together for eternity in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. As we knelt across the alter from each other and made our promises I looked into his beautiful blue eyes and I felt his love for me. It was one of the most sacred, special, spiritual moments I've ever experienced.

Here is one of the only pictures I like from that day. (I'm not so photogenic and the others look a little silly).I couldn't afford to get him a gift, so I've decided today to list all of the reasons I love Kevin like I do:

• He's encouraged me to spread my wings. During our marriage we've lived in 7 different cities in 3 different states and that was quite a challenge since I was born and raised in the same house and same ward until I married him. With his help, I've met new people, learned new things, had experiences I never thought I'd have and gained a little bit of self confidence in the process.
• He listens to me gripe and complain with patience. I tend to complain a lot especially when it has to do with changes I can't control (yes I'm a control freak). My biggest complaint is that when we are resurrected, he'll have his hair back. I've always known him bald, and I've seen pictures of him with hair and well...it's better when he's bald. Trust me.
• He puts up with my moods...good, bad, crazy and in between.
• He accepts me unconditionally. I've never been thin and sometimes it bothers me. He doesn't care what my outside looks like, as long as my inside is happy and content.
• He loves me unconditionally. I know this because I'm sure I'm not easy to live with, and yet he's still here. :)
• We compliment each other. He's 8 years older than me but with our personalities it works. We can calm the other down, excite the other if needed and work though our issues with love.
• He gives great foot rubs. I get one almost every Saturday night and have become quite spoiled. ;)
• He's predictable (which is great for a control freak). When I ask him if he wants to do the dishes or get the kids ready for bed he ALWAYS picks getting the kids ready for bed. (duh!)
• There is still a "spark" between us. I love it when he cuddles me close during sacrament meeting, or pinches my rear in the store, or comes up behind me while I'm doing something to chew on my neck and ear. I still get the occasional hickey. We are so blessed to have the passion we feel for each other.
• He's romantic. Not in the normal sense...I hardly ever get flowers or gifts or what-not, but he's always tuned in to me and what I'm feeling or needing. He's always willing to work hard to support our family and is supportive of my decisions which is romantic in it's own special way.
• He's fun to be around. Sometimes I feel like a freak because I don't have "girlfriends" in the sense of going out to lunch and gossiping and such. I have many friends that I love, but Kevin is and always will be my best friend and the one I want to be with constantly.
• He honors his Priesthood. When the kids or myself are sick or troubled, I know he'll be there and ready to give us a blessing. That is such a comfort to me.
• He understands my obsessions...sort of. More like he plays with my obsessions which helps me to be less obsessed with my obsessions (did that make sense?). I have a color scheme that everything goes by. Clothes, crayons, markers, everything. I used to have some colorful cereal bowls and every night I'd put them in their proper order and every morning they'd be out of order. It drove me crazy, but I learned that the order of the bowls wasn't so important. (if he messes with the closet though, I can't be held responsible for my actions). I also learned to buy white bowls. :)
• He's a good father. I love to watch him play with our children. He's been there for 5 pregnancies, 1 miscarriage that almost broke me completely, 4 births, and infertility issues in between. When our last child was born, he swallowed his fear and came into the operating room to be with me because I was so scared. He kept his eyes closed and tried really hard not to pass out and was able to hold my hand and wipe my tears when I needed him.
• Finally (though I could probably think of more if I tried) he's my soul mate. He understands me better than anyone else, knows what makes me tick, what drives me to do the things I do and what my struggles are. He completes me and makes me a better person.

I'm so glad we have each other. Thanks Sweetie for the best 15 years and I look forward to many more years and to eternity with you!