Fourteen years ago today...

I went out with the man of my dreams for the first time!  *I wonder what ever happened to him?* Just kidding!  It was, of course, my fantastic, wonderful, handsome, loving husband! 

  

Steve and I had been friends for a while.  Not friends-friends, but kind of friends.  And I had a huge crush on him.  Not a crush that prevented me from dating other guys, because, you see, Steve is 8 1/2 years older than me, and I really didn't think I had a shot with him. 

  

I've known him since I was 14 (yes, he was 22)--we attended the same church.  When I was 15, I helped him at VBS (doing games with all of the kiddies)--I actually have a picture of us together--ah, '80's hair!

  

When I was 17, I moved in with my aunt, so that I'd be closer to the college I was attending.  Steve lived in the same town, so I asked if he'd mind giving me a ride to church every week.  And so our quasi-friendship grew.  

  

The fall after I turned 18, I had just broken up with a not-so-great-of-a-choice boyfriend, and I asked God's forgiveness for being so rebellious, and told Him that I just wanted to focus on Him for a while.  No boys. 

  

The next day Steve asked me if I wanted to go to the RI Philharmonic with him the next weekend.  "Just as friends."  Yeah, right! 

  

I never for one moment doubted that I was supposed to marry Steve.  I knew that I would, from that exact moment.  It took Steve a bit longer to catch on, but we were engaged on our 6-month anniversary.  

  

We've been married for almost 12 1/2 years now, but I can still remember how excited I was when he asked, ever so casually, if I wanted to go to the Philharmonic.  I played it so cool, even when he added, "You know, just as friends."  "Yeah, sure, " I said, holding it together long enough to get into the house, where I jumped up and down and screamed like the teenager I was.  I was so excited, I even called my DAD! LOL  I asked him to guess who had asked me out, and he did!  I didn't need any further confirmation. 

  

Life hasn't always been easy, but through it all, I know I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be--with Steve.  He is an awesome husband, and my best friend.  He swears to this day that October 24th, 1992 wasn't a "date", but will admit that my legs did look nice under the mini-skirt I wore (hey, I was on a mission!LOL). 

  

And the rest, as they say, is history!