The Story of Us {10 Years}

Today at about this time {130p} Chad and I said our "I dos" 10 years ago.
TEN YEARS.
Wow.

Honestly, I can't believe we have been together that long. As Chad says "time flies when you are having fun."

I wanted to write something profound, meaningful, and sweet about our marriage. But I just can't get it right. We have been through 10 years of ups and downs. "In good times and in bad--sickness and in health--richer and poorer." And here we are. There were times when I wasn't sure we would make it and times when I know we will grow old together. Marriage, it isn't a walk in the park. It is a choice. A choice we choose daily to love one another and to support each other and ultimately put up with one another's quirks. Of course, mine are slightly less annoying. ;)

Do you ever wonder why my blog is called The Story of Us?
Because I love that movie. And because the greatest scene is when they pick their kids up from camp.



This sums it up to me. We have a history together. A life, a story. We made two beautiful kids together. There were no people there before and there were people. Amazing. We can read each other and sense one another; that's a dance that takes time to learn and perfect. We may drive each other nuts with some of our quirks, but at the end of the day we compliment each other. His strengths for my weaknesses. We are a team.

That is why this is the Story of Us. There is no one else I want to write this story with--just you.

I love you Chad and I love our family.
Here's to the next 10 and beyond.

8 Years of Wedded Bliss

HA! 8 years ago today I was in a little room getting all dolled up for my wedding day. 8 years. In some ways it feels like 20 and in other ways there is no way we have been together at decade and married for 8.

{It's official!}

{Leaving for our Honeymoon Cruise!}
oh how I want to get on another one right now!!


I can't imagine my life any different and so glad to be married to my best friend! I love you Chad, thanks for marrying me and giving me two great kids!

Lucky Seven

Today as of 130p I have been a Mrs. for SeVeN years! Seven. Can you believe I am old enough to have been married that long? I can't, considering I am still only 22 at heart. :)

Now we have (well almost) two beautiful babies, two poodles and a wonderful home and life.

I really love this song by Jason Mraz and Colbie Calliate.

I do feel lucky to be in love with my best friend...

I was so tired and ready to get on that cruise ship and relax!!

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Ooh ooh ooh

I now pronounce you husband and wife!

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again

I have always loved this picture, because of Chad's face, he says he was smiling for the camera, but I disagree. :)

Last night we got to go to Cirque de Soleil Alegria. Can you say amazing?! My breathe was taken away many times. I was having such anxiety watching them do all those high flying moves {and this is from a cheerleader and gymnast!}

Here is a trailer from their show, since no cameras were allowed inside.


Sadly, we didn't get a pre-date picture, we looked hot, well as hot and sexy as you can look 9 months pregnant. :) HA! We just ran out of time. That a resolution of mine, for us to take more pics together and as a whole family, not just the kids. Anyway, I digress.

Now tonight Chad is taking me out to dinner and a movie! I wanted us to go away overnight somewhere together, but again 9 months pregnant doesn't exactly scream fun overnight trip. ;) I guess there is always next year...

Show Us Your Life: Proposal Story

It's time for another rousing edition of Show Us Your Life over at Kelly's Korner. This week's topic: Proposal Story (in case it was less than obvious from the title ;) ).

I wish I was this really great eloquent writer, like so many ladies I follow, but alas I am not so here is the short and sweet of our "Story."

It is weird when you know you are dating "the one." The one you know is your best friend, partner, cheerleader, confidant, and the man you are going to spend forever loving and growing old with. It didn't take us long perhaps a few months to "know" that we wanted to be married someday. We talked about it. A lot.

The time had finally come that Chad was ready to propose. Evidently, over Christmas 2002, he and his mother were scouting out rings. One evening he even took me to the jewelry store to try on rings, but really he was sneakily getting my ring size. Clever boy. I in typical Michele fashion was oblivious to what was happening. Perhaps I just didn't want to read too much into it...yes, that's it. :)


Chad's plan was to propose over Christmas. He wanted to tie the ring around Geoffrey the Giraffe's neck (because if you haven't figured it out by now I heart giraffe's and Geoffrey is my favorite. :) and then do the whole "will you marry me?" routine. However, his plans were thwarted when my dad got me the exact same Geoffrey as a fun Christmas present. Needless, to say he was bummed and out of ideas.

Fast forward to Jan 10th, 2003. We are out hanging out having our usual date day. Except today he keeps asking me if he can give me a present? I am someone who loves to wait to open presents it just saves up all the fun, once they are opened all the fun is over. So I kept saying later, later. That evening we went to see the movie Just Married with Ashton Kutcher and Brittany Murphy. The movie was great, but you have seen it, it made Chad a little nervous for what was to come later in the evening. After our movie we went to Picadilly, talked and reminisced about our relationship.

See the tall bottle...that was my present.

Finally, we headed back to his house so I could open my present finally. I should have known something was up when his loud beagle was missing. When I opened the present it was a message in a bottle that said:

What a joy to know love
Like the love I share today
What a feeling to be blessed
Since the day you looked my way

So I say with these words
I will pledge my love to you
And swear with my heart
That all my love is true

With the warmth of my arm
I will hold you at my side
To propose those precious words
Will you be my loving bride?

As I was reading this poem, Chad got down on one knee with the ring. It took me a moment to completely understand what was going on. I was in complete shock.

The best shot of the "ring" I could find

And of course, I said YES!
We have been happily married for 6.5 years! Just one of many chapters in "The Story of Us."

I Do Cherish You

Six years ago at 1:30 in the afternoon I married my college sweetheart. I was 21 and he was 23. We were young. We have grown up together over this past decade and I wouldn't change that for the world.

In our 6 years we have graduated college (twice for him). Moved 4 times. Had 7 jobs between us. Added two poodles to our family. And our greatest accomplishment to date is the addition of our beautiful daughter, Leighton Olivia, last February. Our "Story" is off to a great start and I know it can only get better.

I Do (Cherish You)
All I am, all I'll be
Everything in this world, all that I'll ever need
Is in your eyes, shining at me
When you smile I can feel all my passion unfolding

Your hand brushes mine
And a thousand sensations seduce me 'cause I

I do, cherish you
For the rest of my life
You don't have to think twice
I will, love you still, from the depths of my soul
It's beyond my control
I've waited so long to say this to you
If you're asking do I love you this much, I do

In my world before you
I lived outside my emotions
Didn't know where I was going
Until that day I found you
How you opened my life to a new paradise


In a world torn by change
Still with all of my heart, until my dying day

I do, cherish you
For the rest of my life
You don't have to think twice
I will, love you still, from the depths of my soul
It's beyond my control
I've waited so long to say this to you
If you're asking do I love you this much, yes I do

I've waited so long to say this to you
So, if you're asking if I love you this much, I do
Oh, I do

(song I do (cherish you) by Mark Willis)

I love you Chad and our precious family we are creating!