9 years

9 years ago today I donned a beautiful handmade-just-for-me dress, kissed my daddy for the last time bearing his name, and walked down the aisle of my childhood church to the man who had asked me to take his.

I remember most of that day with extreme clarity: we had perfect weather, brunch with the girls given by two amazing women, running into Clay at the hotel when I dropped the girls off, maneuvering around a town parade to get to Connie for my up-do, Connie stressing because my hair had grown more than expected since my bridals, me calming Mother down as we sped to the church, having a few moments alone with my mother and sister getting ready before everyone else arrived, Daddy coming into the room all choked up asking for one last family hug, the butterflies before I walked down to Clay, Clay's face as I walked toward him, my cousins walking into the sanctuary while Clay and I were taking a few moments alone before we started pictures, posing and smiling, feeling beautiful, the grooms men's reactions when they saw me, my bridesmaids finding way too many uses for the scarves that came with their dresses, friends arriving from IN just to support Clay, watching all the attendants eating messy snacks, being surrounded by my gals in prayer before the service, the lump in my throat as I walked down to Daddy, Daddy's silly joke to get me laughing before we walked down the aisle, the complete peace I felt about what we were doing, Mother's face as I walked down the aisle, Dad's words when he gave me away, Jeff's short charge, talking about what kind of kiss after we finished praying (Suzanne was still singing), spilling wax all over our hands when lighting the unity candle, walking out of the church married, hiding upstairs while everyone left for the reception, riding through town in the convertible (we got lots of looks and honks), dancing for the first time as husband and wife, dancing with my daddy, lots of dancing and visiting with friends, Clay twirling all the women at the reception, being serenaded by all the men, saying good-bye to our families, running out to the car only to find Kevin saran-wrapped to the trunk, waiting for Clay to cut through the saran wrap and find the keys to our car all the while getting pelted with birdseed, and finally driving away - just the two of us to begin our life together.

9 years later, I love this man more than I knew was possible. He is the perfect man for me. He calms my dramatic side, he challenges me to be more open, he makes me laugh, he loves to learn, he is tender, he is wise, he is patient. He isn't perfect, but he gives me and our children everything he has. These 9 years have held joy, hurt, laughter, pain, questions, loneliness, fulfillment, apologies, forgiveness, compromise, acceptance, uncertainty, and security. I can't think of any greater gift from God - to walk through life with your best friend. It's been an amazing adventure, and I look forward to the years to come.

Clay, thank you for being the man you are and striving to be the man God desires you to be. I love you.