one year [dating] anniversary :)

monday (5/21) was the hubby and i's one year dating anniversary. 

it was a pretty awesome day - we were able to have about an  hour and a half long conversation over skype,

and talk about how wonderful, difficult, challenging, but productive and incomparable to any other it has been.

last year, i met Henry in January, right before he left for Basic Training for the Army.

i sent him a gift for his Basic Training graduation on April 8, 2011,

and we started writing letters back and forth, and talking endlessly each night.

when he came home for 10 days before he was stationed in WA state,

on May 21, 2011 at 1am, he wasted no time asking me to be his girlfriend.

his sister, Jen, and I, picked him up from the airport that night, 

it was probably the LONGEST ride to Logan airport i have, and ever will have... 

the anticipation was high for that first real hug from the man i had been falling deeply in love with over that past month and a half.

when we got back to Jen and I's apartment, though it was late, we sat on the couch and chatted for a while.

and midway through our conversation, sitting on the little loveseat couch in my living room,

he asked me, so sweetly, to be his girlfriend.

i of course said yes, and we had our first kiss :) and then our second, and then our third kiss. haha :) 

neither of us had ANY idea, though we were already certain that we were made for each other, 

that before may 21 of the next year, we would be married.

but God knew. :)

hen, this past year i have changed in more ways than i can count,

and i have you, and our Lord to thank for that.

i'm so blessed to have you in my life.

you complete me,

you challenge me to be a better person,

you inspire me to live my fullest life,

and you love me, even when i am a little bit of a brat.

and i love you for all those reasons and more!

i wish we could have been together for our 1 year [dating] anniversary,

but i am so proud of you for giving of your life to serve our country, and keep us safe.

freedom isn't free, and i thank you for your sacrifice.

you are the best.

ever.

[evah.]

<3

 these were delivered while we were skyping, so he was able to "be there" when i got them :) 

 and this sweet note was tucked inside :)... i guess he was anxious for that hug too! ;)

 and the next day, these came to my doorstep.

 i've been eyeing them for about a year now... and he even got the color right! vintage yellow! 

so i had to do a little photo shoot around dads yard with them on 

(yes, i'm aware it's sunny out :), who needs rain to wear rainboots!)

on another note - how BEAUTIFUL was it today? man... i was driving around a lot,

so i didn't get to get out and sit and enjoy it,

but you betchyur britches i was blastin the country radio, 

and lettin the wind blow through the open windows on those back country roads!

ahh... Maine :) you are beautiful! 

the only thing that would have made today better is if my husb was sittin shotgun.

hope you had as great a day as i did today!

xoxo, B