Saturday, November 6, 2010

November 6th...a story worth retelling.

This is a post I wrote last year. Since I have a few new followers on the block, I thought re-posting it would be a good idea. It is a little window into the personal side of our family. I didn't want to spend too much time on the computer today...too much celebrating to do! :) Have a wonderful weekend friends!

A little interesting fact about our family is that I gave birth to my two youngest on the same day of the year. B and L were both born on November 6th exactly two years apart. November 6th is also my father in laws birthday AND most importantly…it is also the day my husband asked me to marry him.

We were really young…I was 19 at the time and he was 21. He was my best friend and our relationship was easy. I was used to drama and guys ignoring me while we dated, but Ryan was different. He was always thoughtful. He was always kind and polite, and he only treated me with respect.

He called me at Macy’s on November 6th, 1992 and asked for me to stop by after work. I didn’t get off until 9:00 that night but he insisted. I reluctantly agreed and continued on with my day. It didn’t even faze me that my Mom and my sisters came by to say hello. (My Mom wasn’t a big mall shopper.) They had silly grins, but I was clueless. (Ryan had asked for my hand earlier from my father, and of course my father practically THREW me at him. My parents LOVE Ryan.)

His proposal was simple. He changed out of his life and bakery uniform of jean shorts and white shirt into a shirt and tie. He asked me immediately and I (obviously) said yes.

I couldn’t wait to be married to him. We would have a great life. We would be adults. We would make our own decisions. Life was going to be all smiles and adventures. We had love, what more did anyone need?

And as I look back on the past 17 years…WOW!!!!!!!....it has been hard. Really, really hard. With 5 pregnancies, (one that didn’t work out, and one that was especially worrisome,) and the bakery, (that he worked 15 hours a day in,) and diabetes diagnosis, (Four, if you include my brothers,) and cancer, (My husband’s mother survived breast cancer and my husband had a serious Melanoma that required chemo this year,) and everything else that life threw at us…man, it’s been REALLY REALLY hard.

But even through the pain and the stress and the uncertainty of life…love has remained. And as hard as life has been, I still have my best friend beside me. He still wears his jean shorts and white T-shirts and he still dotes over me like when we were first married. And we have 4 beautiful boys…who relish every minute of their lives…and who, because of diabetes, appreciate the little things…like brownies with M&M’s on top for their classes on Friday.

Looking back, would I change anything? Mostly I would change things about me. IF I could relive it all…I would worry less...I would take my frustration out on my husband less…I wouldn’t try so hard to be perfect…or to impress those around me. I would have accepted that my best was good enough and I probably would have let my kids have friends over in a house that was not as neat as a pin.

I would tell myself everyday…that hard times don’t last forever…that there will be good times around the corner…and that life is too precious to waste with constant worry and self loathing.

I would appreciate the little moments more…and I would appreciate all the wonderfullness that I've always had right in front of me...

13 comments:

  1. What a beautiful glimpse into some of your history Sweet Meri. What a loving hubby and what gorgeous young men you have there! You my friend amaze me day-in and out. I was bragging about you the other day and Lawton...too when showing my BFF the pic of the boys and Lawton. I keep it up in my kitchen. You, your story, your life provides me with comfort and strength...daily. Know that.

    Love you.

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  2. Love this post and I love you guys! Since I've met Ryan, I can agree that his is just the sweetest guy and you are a lucky woman. Happy birthday L & B!

    P.S. Elise actually recognizes your blog now and when I'm reading it she asks me if I'm talking to Auntie Meri!

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  3. that SHOULD say HE is just the sweetest guy.

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  4. I love you! That's all I have to say.

    OH! Except... Happy Birthday L & B and Meri's F.I.L

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  5. That was beautiful! I too was a young bride and remain married to my best friend who sounds a lot like your Ryan, easygoing and mild mannered. Happy Birthday to all in your family that get to share this special day together! Have a great day celebrating!

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  6. I love this story! So sweet! Happy Birthdays! Happy Proposal Anniversary! I hope you have a great day celebrating what is most important in life. And you know- those hard times are WHY you appreciate the specialness! Love you, Meri!

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  7. I LOVE to hear dating and proposal stories! They just warm my heart :).

    I, too, married my high school sweetheart and we married young .... 21 :0

    And, your boys are soooooooo handsome. Save one for my Ellie?!

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  8. Meri, when I said you were my air to breath when I just can't get a breath I sooo meant it! I love your story and how cool on all the events that happen on the same day! I read your words tonight realizing that you are saying some really important things. Thank you, I will go forward remembering what you have said...you are really inspiring and beautiful! ((hugs)) from mine to yours!

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  9. Oh thanks for sharing this bit of your life story with us, I so enjoyed it! And dude, I got engaged in 1990, when I was 19 and the dude was 22, how about them apples? Happy happy birthday to the boys and happy proposal anniversary! Hope you're celebrating big time! :)

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  10. What a BEAUTIFUL, and enduring, love story!!!

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  11. Just catching up on blog reading, and this post made me smile. :) 17 years and still going strong!!! :) :) :)

    Happy (belated) birthday to your boys!!

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  12. happy belated to the boys and awwww love this post!

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  13. Happy post. Smiley post.
    Love this post because it made me happy and smiley.

    :)

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