Our Wedding DaySeptember 22, 2001 : 3:00 in the afternoon
It's been 7 years today. We've known each other for over 12. Somehow, it seems longer than that. And then when we sit and laugh over the memories, it doesn't seem that long at all.
We met at my friend Celestial's house in October 1995 after she & I came home from an All Region Choir tryout. His band, 'Sweet Southern' played at my surprise 16th Birthday Party in February 1996 -- our children are destined to be musical, no doubt -- (you can find Chris's wife, Tara, here). We went on our first date March 1, 1996 to Pines Mall - I introduced him to Chinese food and we watched Muppets Treasure Island. I've never said this to him, or anyone else for that matter, but the date I had gone on about a week before with David Gassaway was not very interesting...and the one before that with David, Brooke & Michael was even worse than that. So, I thought if we went to a movie that was fun, perhaps our date would follow suit. It worked. I'm a genius. I also didn't want to be questioned about my age - all the other movies were rated R. He stuck with me through that movie and didn't question my reasons. He was a keeper.
Warren High School and it's tall pine trees were the setting behind the flirty little glances and long walks together between our classes. I would write English papers for him and leave them in his locker. He would carry my books. On the days he would wear his Wrangler Cowboy jeans, I would laugh my head off...and on the days I would wear those Limited jeans (size 4, yes actually!) I would poor myself into, he would always walk behind me. Hmmmmm.
College came and went - I stayed home and went to UAM to be closer to what I knew - I was registered at ASU Jonesboro, and the day of Freshman pre-orientation I changed my mind. Just couldn't do it. When he graduated, he moved to Little Rock for work. My wedding planning kicked into high gear. We weren't actually 'engaged' you see, but I had called a photographer to book a date and picked out a china pattern... one of those things.
On Friday, June 8, 2001 the Tomato Festival was in full swing. Brian's band was playing that night at the street dance and he was coming home early to get ready. Before I went to work that day after school, I stopped by his parent's house to plant a couple of kisses on his sweet face. He had picked up a bottle of Clinique Happy for me and told me to go to his room and get it. For some weird reason, he followed me. I'm thinking, "awww...he doesn't want to kiss me in front of his parents today...how cute!" I opened the box of Happy and found a tiny white box in place of the perfume. He had sealed the deal. Good job! ....Now I could finally confirm that date with the photographer!
As the weeks progressed, I would tell my mom that I had to go to Jamie's house to work on wedding stuff after work, and would actually pick up a pizza and drive to Little Rock to eat dinner with Brian. We would go to Little Rock every weekend to settle him into his apartment. One time, we were (...he was) putting together the entertainment center and I fell asleep on the couch and he in the floor amid all the rubble that is a piece of Wal-Mart fine furniture. We slept soundly until 1:00 am when we frantically ran out the door and began the 1 1/2 hour drive home - because two unmarried adults couldn't possibly stay overnight together without proper supervision! GASP! During my last hurried semester (I graduated in 3 years) we married in my parents' front yard on the first day of Fall. I cried in the limo on the way to Little Rock. What a comforting way to display how proud you are to be his bride. Tears. Way to go, Dena. The truth behind those tears was the fact that I already missed my baby brother.
The next day, we left for Orange Beach, AL for a week of fun - without parents, without rules, without a care in the world. That was the strangest 6 days of my life. Neither one of us knew what to do. This glorious time we'd been waiting so long for was just plain weird. Were our parents about to burst thru the door? Do we really have to wash all these clothes? You mean I have to share a bed and a bathroom with a guy? This trip is 6 days long...what if I need to poo? Maybe we should call our parents and see what they're doing today?
We didn't have a clue.
Now, we share a bedroom AND a bathroom on a daily basis. We really do have to wash all those clothes. It is possible to take a poo with someone other than your parents in the house. And now we'd love it if our parents popped thru our door. We have a beautiful little guy to love and hold and kiss and play with until he falls asleep in the floor.
We met at my friend Celestial's house in October 1995 after she & I came home from an All Region Choir tryout. His band, 'Sweet Southern' played at my surprise 16th Birthday Party in February 1996 -- our children are destined to be musical, no doubt -- (you can find Chris's wife, Tara, here). We went on our first date March 1, 1996 to Pines Mall - I introduced him to Chinese food and we watched Muppets Treasure Island. I've never said this to him, or anyone else for that matter, but the date I had gone on about a week before with David Gassaway was not very interesting...and the one before that with David, Brooke & Michael was even worse than that. So, I thought if we went to a movie that was fun, perhaps our date would follow suit. It worked. I'm a genius. I also didn't want to be questioned about my age - all the other movies were rated R. He stuck with me through that movie and didn't question my reasons. He was a keeper.
Warren High School and it's tall pine trees were the setting behind the flirty little glances and long walks together between our classes. I would write English papers for him and leave them in his locker. He would carry my books. On the days he would wear his Wrangler Cowboy jeans, I would laugh my head off...and on the days I would wear those Limited jeans (size 4, yes actually!) I would poor myself into, he would always walk behind me. Hmmmmm.
College came and went - I stayed home and went to UAM to be closer to what I knew - I was registered at ASU Jonesboro, and the day of Freshman pre-orientation I changed my mind. Just couldn't do it. When he graduated, he moved to Little Rock for work. My wedding planning kicked into high gear. We weren't actually 'engaged' you see, but I had called a photographer to book a date and picked out a china pattern... one of those things.
On Friday, June 8, 2001 the Tomato Festival was in full swing. Brian's band was playing that night at the street dance and he was coming home early to get ready. Before I went to work that day after school, I stopped by his parent's house to plant a couple of kisses on his sweet face. He had picked up a bottle of Clinique Happy for me and told me to go to his room and get it. For some weird reason, he followed me. I'm thinking, "awww...he doesn't want to kiss me in front of his parents today...how cute!" I opened the box of Happy and found a tiny white box in place of the perfume. He had sealed the deal. Good job! ....Now I could finally confirm that date with the photographer!
As the weeks progressed, I would tell my mom that I had to go to Jamie's house to work on wedding stuff after work, and would actually pick up a pizza and drive to Little Rock to eat dinner with Brian. We would go to Little Rock every weekend to settle him into his apartment. One time, we were (...he was) putting together the entertainment center and I fell asleep on the couch and he in the floor amid all the rubble that is a piece of Wal-Mart fine furniture. We slept soundly until 1:00 am when we frantically ran out the door and began the 1 1/2 hour drive home - because two unmarried adults couldn't possibly stay overnight together without proper supervision! GASP! During my last hurried semester (I graduated in 3 years) we married in my parents' front yard on the first day of Fall. I cried in the limo on the way to Little Rock. What a comforting way to display how proud you are to be his bride. Tears. Way to go, Dena. The truth behind those tears was the fact that I already missed my baby brother.
The next day, we left for Orange Beach, AL for a week of fun - without parents, without rules, without a care in the world. That was the strangest 6 days of my life. Neither one of us knew what to do. This glorious time we'd been waiting so long for was just plain weird. Were our parents about to burst thru the door? Do we really have to wash all these clothes? You mean I have to share a bed and a bathroom with a guy? This trip is 6 days long...what if I need to poo? Maybe we should call our parents and see what they're doing today?
We didn't have a clue.
Now, we share a bedroom AND a bathroom on a daily basis. We really do have to wash all those clothes. It is possible to take a poo with someone other than your parents in the house. And now we'd love it if our parents popped thru our door. We have a beautiful little guy to love and hold and kiss and play with until he falls asleep in the floor.
We're happily married. 7 years today.
Prom 1996
Our Wedding Day
On our Honeymoon
14 comments:
I've gotta come back and read this when I have time....I just wanna say...I want pictures with this post!!!! LOL Do ya have just 1 of you two 12 yrs ago you could share with us?? LOL
I promise to bring pictures with me next time...there's some really good ones! I'm telling you...I was a size FOUR! I know!!! The problem is, I don't have a scanner...so I'm going to try and take pictures of the pictures. I hope it works. I'd love to share them!!!!! :o)
Happy Anniversary! I love the poo part, how funny, I was lauging so hard. you guys are great, hope you have a great day!
You crack me up!! I remember your wedding so pretty and romantic. I loved it. That is fine that you linked me on your site. Happy Anniversary and thanks for sharing. Can't wait to see those pics!!
Congrats to you guys!!
Happy Anniversary!! I also was laughing at the poo part, you are so funny. Happy 7 years!
Happy Anniversary!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this story!! I knew some of it, but not all and I love your bathroom antics comments...I so understand what you meant by all that! haha Congratulations!
Awww! I laughed at the 6 days together and no idea what to do! We felt the exact same way, although we didn't have 6 days, we left the church and headed to Texas! Although, I was astounded at Matthew when he asked if he should go buy condoms on our wedding night! Ummm, no.
Awh! What a sweet little story! I can't wait to see pics!
so cute!!! :)
Love the pics! So glad you shared. I remember watching you take the motor pics. You guys are made for each other!!
Hott Mama! The pics made this post so fun! It's funny to look back at pics, even from just a couple of years back! Things change way too fast!
I love your wedding pictures, those are so cute!! Thank you for adding pictures, I love looking at them!!!!
Happy 7 years!! I loved reading your "story" and seeing pics! Hope you all are doing well!
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