Seven Years

I didn't think you could love someone more after being married to them for seven years than you did on the day you married them, but apparently you can. I met D nine years ago while celebrating my birthday in a bar. Wow. That is SO not like me. I was working as a police officer and my patrol partner and his wife decided to take me out for my birthday. We went to a local club, where we sat around and talked. I don't drink. A pretty tame party. My co-worker's wife said "I think that guy is checking you out." Meaning D.

I was surprised. I never really get 'checked out'. But then looking back, I was wearing leather pants. Hah! Anyway he asked me to dance and I said yes. In the parking lot at the end of the evening we exchanged numbers and a few days later he called.

I truly believe that you find your soul mate only after you are happy with yourself. I had been in a bad relationship a year before meeting D and during that year I dated two other men, but wasn't ready to move on. Then one morning in early November I woke up with the realization that if I find love fine, and if not that's okay too. I was perfectly content to focus on my career and be happy in my own skin. Two weeks later I met D.

After that first phone call, we talked for countless hours, both working the night shift. When we had our first date he brought a single bright pink rose to my door which I thought was so sweet. When he said goodnight, I kissed him on the cheek. We dated for a year and he completely surprised me with a proposal at a family dinner celebrating my birthday. We were engaged for a year after that and got married in the same hometown Catholic church where my parents were married 30 years earlier. It was a beautiful wedding--but I'll save that for another post.

I've heard the thing most married couples argue about is finances. We don't argue about money...that's not to say we don't argue. Just not about money. Having a baby was an adjustment-as we learned how to be parents. But we are pros at that now. Hell, we're even planning on having another someday.

When people asked me what makes me love D, I say his cute butt....HA just seeing if you were still paying attention!! Okay really I love that I have always been comfortable enough around him to just be myself and that he accepts me as I am and never tries to change me. I think that is the greatest feeling in the world. I never understood why someone would get married thinking they can change a person. Anyway, it's been a great seven (nine) years and we've both grown as a couple and as a family. I am so thankful that God sent someone for me and that I was at the right place to accept such a gift.