Today is my 18th Wedding Anniversary…but I’ve known my husband a lot longer. In fact, I met him when I was about this age…
I looked something like this…
I was in the morning Kindergarten class and he was in the afternoon. We didn’t really “know” each other, but he was the Conductor at Kindergarten graduation–already showing signs of being a wonderful leader. While we might not have been friends, as I got older, I absolutely knew who he was. My dad was his soccer coach…
My dad’s in the middle in green and the future Mr. Poppins had on red knee pads. *grin* BTW it was the 70’s and 80’s folks…it’s not our fault…you can blame our parents.
So for years we dribbled in and out of the same circles, but it wasn’t until high school where we had a real relationship–we HATED each other! We were hardcore political rivals. It wasn’t unusual to see us debating politics from one class, straight into another, and right on into lunch. Just like in Wicked–there was loathing–unadulterated loathing…until the summer before our senior year. We both attended a leadership conference together. We became friends. Real friends. He was a pretty amazing person–as long as we didn’t talk politics. We went to the Senior Prom together.
Then we both headed off to college. And found out–we missed each other. LOL! So I went to visit him at West Point…
We started dating in October 1988. We’ve actually been together twenty-two and a half years.
I’m very lucky. Not everyone gets to marry their best friend. It isn’t always a fairy tale, but it isn’t supposed to be. It’s a journey–just like everything else and I couldn’t have pick a better co-pilot for my life. Here’s some of what we’ve done in Eighteen Years…
*Together we’ve graduated from college a grand total of 5 times. (2 for me and 3 for him)
*We lived in Germany for four years, traveling to Italy, Switzerland, England, France, Poland, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Turkey, Hungary, Monaco and Egypt.
*He spent 10 months serving in Bosnia and I lived alone in Germany while he was gone.
*We lost three Grandmothers, two Grandfathers, a brother-in-law and both our fathers. We both had the pleasure of knowing all of them so we can always share that with each other.
*One day we realized that there was very little chance we’d remain the 23 year old people who stood and made vows at the alter. At times this was scary and ugly and sad. Then we decided that instead of being angry at each other for who we no longer were, we would try to love the people we’d become. I’m so glad we had the courage to do that, because I love the 41 year old Mr. Poppins even more than I loved the other one.
*We moved home to be with our families because we realized that there isn’t really a heck of a lot that is more important than the people you love.
*We’ve followed our dreams, supporting each other and doing the things that need to be done so that we both can feel like complete people. We work around our short comings. When he’s out hob nobbin with clients at fancy 5 star restaurants, I make myself a little something at home and take out the garbage cans. When I’m writing and juggling kids–he just goes out and buys another pack of underwear and plans a “Daddy Party Weekend.” We couldn’t do it without each other.
*Best of all…we’ve brought our three boys into the world. And I know I will never get tired of sitting with my best friend and marveling at the wonder of them…
John, I know you’re reading this. Happy Anniversary…I love you.
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Aw, so sweet! Congrats!
Thanks Kasie!
Awww. Congratulations, you two! Sounds like you have the perfect relationship. 🙂
This is so sweet, Kim – your relationship is a wonderful love story. Congratulations to you & John on your anniversary – wishing you many, many more happy years of your journey together! ♥
Awww I love my Lindas!!!!
Aww!!! *swwon* Such a lovely story!! And congrats on your anniversary!! 😀
BTW, great pics!!