A Decade Together

Ten years ago Lincoln and I became "official." We had no way to predict that we would still be together after all this time but I had a feeling, even back then, that I had met my soul mate. We have been through so much together and it truly has been the best ten years of my life. In honor of this special anniversary, here is a peek at the journey we began more than a decade ago!

Lincoln and I met in April 2000 at our local church. He was about to turn seventeen and I had just turned sixteen! Our friends had each brought us that night to youth group and he introduced himself afterward in the parking lot. Because we lived close to thirty minutes away from each other and attended different schools, we used the internet to communicate after that night- getting to know each other via emails and online chat! One thing led to another and we realized we really clicked. We decided to meet up again in person and go on a group date.

Linc drove "up north" to my part of town and we went with some of my friends to play frisbee at the park and get ice cream. We chatted for what seemed like hours and when I finally had to leave to take my friend Jessica home I knew he was something special! We officially began dating in May of that year and the rest they say is history!! After high school, Linc attended the University of Virginia and I entered the nursing program at Clemson. When I realized that teaching was my true calling I transferred in state to attend Georgia Southern so I could receive the Hope Scholarship. We managed four years of long distance dating going as many as four months at a time without seeing each other.

On a trip to New Hampshire with his entire extended family, Linc asked me to be his wife on the Fourth of July 2004 while we were kayaking around Squam Lake. It was the most beautiful back drop to the most perfect proposal and of course I said yes! After a two year engagement we finally tied the knot on Kiawah Island, SC and began our life together as husband and wife. Take a look back at my Weddings Wednesday posts (here, here, here, and here) to see more pictures!

We lived in California for about two years until a job opportunity moved us back home to Georgia. Lincoln is self employed and designs computer games and I am an elementary school teacher. If you've been following along lately you've read all about our expanding family and welcoming sweet Carter into the world! We are approaching our fourth wedding anniversary but I'm not sure we'll be able to top last year (our trip to Greece and finding out we were pregnant!!). I'm so thankful to have this blog to help me remember it all!

Linc- you are (and have always been) my rock and biggest supporter. I am so thankful you had the courage to approach me that night so many years ago. We never could have imagined how life was going to turn out and I feel so blessed that you have been by my side since then. No matter the distance, our love kept us together and we continue to grow stronger every day! You are such a hard worker and take such good care of me and Carter. I am really proud of the man you have become over the last ten years and everything you have accomplished. Thank you for growing up with me and growing old with me! I love you more than you will ever know and am grateful to be your wife. We may have chosen our wedding song a bit randomly, but the words are so true:

And I will breathe for you each day
Comfort you through all the pain
Gently kiss your fears away
You can turn to me and cry
Always understand that I
Give you all I have inside
I won't ever be too far to feel you
And I won't hesitate at all
Whenever you call
I'll always remember
That part of you so tender
And be the one to catch your fall
Whenever you call