Celebration

Luke and I are celebrating our first-year anniversary today! I think it is about time I blogged about:

Our Rehearsal
Our Rehearsal Dinner
Our Wedding
Our Honeymoon
Our First Year Firsts

There will be many, many pictures soon; consider yourself warned!

Now excuse me while I go find that husband of mine and give him one big hug and lots of kisses!

Our First Date (part 2)

Luke opened the car door for me, and we were off. Our conversation flowed easily and consisted of the normal questions you would have for a stranger.

What school are you going to?
What's your degree in?
Where do you work?
Do you like basketball? You don't?! On no, turn the car around, take me back, take me back!
Where do you live?

And so on and so forth. Traits I discovered about Luke immediately where: He was gentleman through and through, he knew how to hold himself in a conversation, he was confident, he was humorous, he had great sense in style, he wasn't afraid to accept nor give compliments. I was really liking this strange man already!

Before I knew it we were in Fairhaven. Ahh Fairhaven. The most romantic spot, especially at Christmas time, in Whatcom County. He parked the car, told me to sit tight while he ran around and opened my door and we started our walk up the snowy, Christmas lit street. With the snow falling softly it truly looked like a winter wonderland.

"So where are we going?"

"Oh it's this great restaurant I know called Toppas Bar."

I stopped dead in my tracts, refused to move another inch, and glared at him.

"If that's where we're going then you're talking me home right NOW!"

Unfortunately I had misunderstood him say the name. Instead of Toppas I heard Toppless. Yup, I thought he was taking me to a topless bar and I was so close to boiling over with fury. Luke stared at me for a second and then laughed softly and pointed to the sign just a few feet ahead. There it was Flats Topas Bar. Not a bar, not anything risque. Just an adorable, fine dinning, Spanish cuisine. We laughed at my misunderstanding and hurried inside. It was such a picturesque restaurant and romantic too. Luke asked me where I would like to sit so of course I chose the balcony.

Dinner was delicious and our conversation was lively. We were having such an enjoyable time in fact, that after dinner, Luke suggested we head across the street to Skylarks Hidden Cafe for dessert. They had a live jazz band planning and an incredible delicious dessert selections. Before dessert however, we sat outside bundled up with scarves and mittens and drank our coffee by their fire. Skylarks also had a balcony and once again we headed up to it to enjoy our dessert and music. I was content, I was happy, Luke looked happy. And then...

"Hey, do you want to dance?"

"Haha oh no, I'm fine really."

"I saw your feet tapping; I can tell you really want to dance."

I was getting nervous now...

"Um really, I'm fine. I uh, don't know how to dance."

"What?! You don't know how to dance? Everyone knows how to dance."

"Yeah, well my family isn't exactly into dancing..."

"Oh come on, it's so easy I'll teach you."

Reluctantly I got up and took his hand. Up until now everything was going flawlessly and now I was going to look like an idiot on our first date since I really had no clue how to dance. I tried to listen to the beat, but with jazz music they don't really have a beat. I tried to concentrate so hard, but was failing at it miserably. Luke even had to inform me that my hand goes on his waist not his shoulder (I had accidentally taken the man's part in the dance). Luke soon came to realize that I really did have no clue how to dance and we sat back down to finished off our dessert. Soon my mortification eased and we got back once more into our lively conversation.

We finished the night of at Lairmont Manor which is drop dead gorgeous in the dark at Christmas time. We admired the pretty lights, their Christmas tree, and fountain. What we were really doing however, was stalling for time. Neither of us wanted the evening to be over. When Luke did drop me off safe and sound back home he gave me a big smile and asked:

"So if I were to ask you out again, what would the chances be that you would say yes?"

I smiled back and walked inside.

"I'd say they would be pretty good, but you'll have to ask and find out for yourself."

There it is. My first date with my husband. An absolutely wonderful evening. I was so happy and excited I wanted to tell my family everything. I walked into my parent's room, but they were sleeping. I walked into Kaylie's room, Kelsey's room, Josiah's room. All were asleep and Karin was at work. I walked into Kristi's room and she was wide awake reading her Bible. I sat down on her bed and told her all about it.

"Do you think he's the one?"

She whispered softly.

"I think he might be."

I whispered back.

Our First Date (Part 1)

It's nearly been three years since our first date. Call me nostalgic, but I want to write it all down before I forget any part of it.

Excitedly I sat by the window. Waiting. Watching. I remember being thankful that there was a mirror in our china cabinet that stood next to the doorway. I would alternate looking out the window and glancing in the mirror just to make sure nothing was out of place. I gave my outfit that Kati had helped me pick out one last glance hoping it was suitable. My entire family was gathering in the living room so I did my best to act as nonchalant as possible. I heard Josiah whisper to Dad:

"You're letting her go out on a date? Since when do you do that?"

I had wondered the very same thing and to this day I have no idea why my Dad agreed to let me go. I do know it took some help from Kristi who was the one who actually knew Luke and his family. But still, it was so out of the ordinary to be allowed out on a date under the circumstance that none of us really knew this mysterious man. I was hit with the fact that my parents were showing a lot of faith and trust in me and there was no way I would disappoint them.

My heart did a tiny flip-flop as I saw headlights start down our driveway. I wasn't nervous. I honestly wasn't. I was purely excited. I was going on date with a person I had, had a crush on when I was fifteen. A person who thankfully didn't even remember me sitting next to him at DQ (I was very odd looking at age 15). This may sound shallow, but since I had no idea if this would be my first and only date with this man I was determined to savor and enjoy every single second of it no matter what the future held. I threw my Dad a pleading look and asked him if I could run outside to meet him rather than have him face all 9 of us at once. My Dad graciously agreed and out the door I flew. (Note: On our 2^nd date Luke very politely requested that I do not meet him halfway. He said it was proper for a man to always speak with the father before taking the girl out.)

Together

One year, ten years from now I won't know what we were doing and I won't care why. All I"ll know is that we were doing it together.

I Wonder…

…what it's like to fall asleep with my husband. I mean really fall asleep with him. To crawl into bed, turn off the lamp and snuggle till sleep overtakes us both. How long would we talk? Would one of us read a book in bed? Would he fall asleep first or would I? Would one of us hog the blankets? Get tangled in the sheets? Would he wake up to my sleep talking? Would I wake up to his snoring? What's it like to wake up in the morning with each other? Would we help wake each other up? Would we lie in bed and just enjoy the quietness before a busy day? See who could get to the shower first? Have a pillow fight while making the bed? Would he help me pick out my outfit for the day? Eat breakfast together? Read the morning newspaper? Do all these things while flirting, laughing, enjoying each other's company?

We've been married 10 months and due to our opposite schedules I've only fallen asleep with my husband on our honeymoon. On his nights off, he'll tuck me in and play with my hair until I fall asleep, which is as close as we get to actually falling asleep together. I remember after only being married a few days and in Mexico waking up to Luke laughing in his sleep. I thought it was the cutest thing ever and I just lay there propped up on one elbow waiting to see what he would do next. I loved the sound of his snoring. It reminded me that he was right there and that I was safe. Someday, someday I'll find out what's it's like to fall asleep with him.

To complain about this situation though would be ungrateful. God has given us both jobs and my husband get's three days off each week. Also I have conquered my fear of being left alone. All through my growing up years I was never once left completely alone at home. At first I was terrified when Luke would leave; I would even stand at the door and beg him not to go (seriously). I would lie wide awake and keep a gun near me just in case. I would say to myself over and over "Nothing will happen to me that God does not allow". Slowly but surely with Luke's help and God's promises my fear of being alone is almost obsolete. I even lie in bed with curtains pulled back so I can watch the bats come out at dusk. When coyotes came howling through the neighborhood one night I eagerly jumped out of bed to get a look. The gun is kept is a safe place now rather than on my nightstand and I peacefully drift off to sleep knowing that Luke will call me in a few hours while on his break.

How unique is it that God made our situation such so as to help me with my greatest fear. He truly does care about every aspect of our lives. Being able to see God's hand in situations that are not ideal to me is another blessing. How I can complain when God is so very good to us?

How to Diffuse an Argument

9-months today since Luke and I said our vows and promised to love each other forever. I can hardly believe the we are fast approaching a year! Since I have been married for such an extensive amount of time and have gained lavish amounts of wisdom from my experiences as a married women, I thought it was time impart some of my wisdom to you.

I know you probably are under the impression that Luke and I NEVER argue. And you are very right to assume that since he and I are just full of perfection and wonderfulness (please tell me you know I'm just kidding). However, there are times, few and far between of course, that arguments have arisen and feelings have been hurt.

I remember clear as crystal the first time we argued. I was mad at Luke for something I can no longer recall; I just know we were arguing. I was sure this argument was one that would last for days and in my despairing mind I wondered if it would last for weeks, or if we would ever resolve the issue. Luke however, is quite amazing at diffusing arguments. I did not know he had this talent until this first argument (duh). Our conversation went something like this:

...after arguing back and forth...Luke said in a very serious and grave tone:

"Kimberly, I know what the problem is. I know what's wrong with you".

I was expecting him to say something along the lines of: "You haven't had your devotions this morning", or :We haven't prayed about this yet" or "You have an anger problem".

Instead very, very seriously he states:

"You think I'm fat don't you".

For the first time that day I was speechless. All I could do was stare at him opened-mouthed and shocked. Then the giggles hit me and they hit me hard! I couldn't stop laughing and needless to say the argument was over just like that.

To this day whenever we start arguing, at some point in the argument, Luke drops the line someway or another. He has variations of course and without fail I will start laughing and our argument turns into a chilled-out discussion instead. In fact, during the start of our most recent argument I pictured him saying he was fat before he said it and I burst out laughing (that argument never even got started!)

Thank-you Lord for a husband who comes up with most unique ways of keeping us living together in harmony always!

Cherish the Moments

I love being married and I wouldn't trade it for the world. When you have a husband whose character you can trust and depend on and who consistently put himself last, well marriage just gets better with each passing day. However, my life has been much more busy and hectic since being married and there are times when I like to look back and remember before I was Luke's wife to when I was his girlfriend.

I loved the anticipation that would build up in me before an evening with my boyfriend. I remember wishing I could leave work early so I could spend a little extra time primping for him. How I would drive my family crazy with my hyperness. In the beginning I would always feel just a twinge of nervousness, but as soon as I saw him walking up to the door the nervousness would vanish. He and I went on the best little trips together around Whatcom County, Eastern Washington, parts of Canada, and Seattle. I couldn't have asked for a better dating relationship. Most of you know that I had a crush on Luke back when I was fifteen. So by the time we officially began dating (6 years later) I told myself to love, cherish, and remember everything little thing we did together.

All I can say to those who are in the courting/dating stage of a relationship and to those who soon will be: make sure you cherish every moment. Engagement is fun and marriage much, much better, but still, savor every moment, every date, every conversation. Write down every place you and your special someone has been to and done. You will love looking back at it later and remembering exactly how your now husband stole your heart and how you captured his. I wish I could explain better what I'm talking about, but sadly, I'm not the best writer. Just please, believe me. You are going to miss it.