It might as well have been yesterday that I took my father’s arms and firmly told him, “Don’t you dare say anything that will make me cry” right before the double doors opened to a crowd full of people, eyes all on me. I should have been used to the spotlight by now. Years of dance recitals, choir, and cheerleading certainly got me used to performing for a crowd. But this time it was different. For once, it was solely about me and my husband-to-be, and not about entertaining the crowd. I gripped my dad’s arms even tighter as my legs wobbled beneath me and I made my way down the aisle.

How is it possible that eleven years later, I love him even more? I need him even more. And I dream with him even more. We have grown up together. And while many fear that you would grow apart, for us, we have just grown closer closer together. Not that we haven’t had our hard moments. Sometimes agonizing moments. But we got through it together. We cried, yelled, laughed, and prayed through it together. And we came out stronger.

Happy (belated) Anniversary to the love of my life. Eleven years down, a lifetime to go.