Happy 5th Anniversary!

Well, I lied... I said my previous post would be my last before my half marathon.  Then I realized that I couldn't go without posting a Happy Anniversary post for my dear hubs. 

Jason and I met in 2004.  When we met, I was honestly a little concerned.  Jason uses a wheelchair because he has cerebral palsy.  For some reason, this just made me slightly nervous.  I talked through my feelings with Jason and as we grew closer and I knew that I wanted to be with him, I also realized that using a wheelchair doesn't mean a hill of beans.  We may have to do things a little different, but our life is no less adventerous than others. 


In May 2005, Jason proposed.  It was quite an interesting couple of weeks - it played out like this:

• Weekend of April 15 (2005) - J and I went to Beaufort to visit my parents, extended family and celebrate my Granny Brown's birthday.  It was during this weekend that Jason asked my Daddy if he could marry me - I had no clue!  I mean, yeah, we had talked about maybe, one-day getting married, but I didn't realize he was quite that serious...



Jason and I at Sportsman's Pier (in the
terrible wind that weekend!)

• April 26 - We went to the mall for a "diamond event" at Carlyle and Company.  J said that he just wanted to get an idea of the types of rings I liked.  I should have thought something was a little "fishy" with this, but I had no clue!  I found a stunning setting that I absolutely loved - one oval center stone with two princess cut diamonds flanking each side of the oval.  It was classic, simple, but different - I loved it.  After we finished looking at rings, J and I went our separate ways before dinner.  I needed to get a few things for my upcoming trip to visit Margaret in Florida while attending a conference.  Needless to say, I had no clue that he was actually purchasing the ring that night.
• April 30 through May 5 - I headed off to Florida for a weekend visit with Margaret.  After our weekend together, I headed over to the Portofino Bay hotel for a work conference.  It was a great week.  It was during that week that I realized I wanted to spend the rest of my life with J.
 



Margaret and I before heading out to
Universal City Walk

• May 10 - It was a normal 'ole day.  I went to work, ran some errands, and then I went to get my hair cut and colored (Hey!  Hair color is important!).  After my hair appointment, I called J at the condo.  He said that we had a small problem and that there was no power in our condo unit.  So strange...  I got to the condo a little after 7 p.m. and J was right - the power was out.  Jason was sitting in the middle of the living room in the dark.  I don't love the dark normally, but hate it even more when I can't see anything.  J had a tiny little flashlight and tried to guide me over to him without causing me to fall over furniture.  When I got over to him, he proposed.  I have to say that I don't really remember what he said, except asking me to marry him.  Of course, I said yes!  I was so excited, shocked, happy - it was great!  We called our parents, Margaret, the Allen family, and a few other people.  Not sure what was up with the power, but when we called the Allen's and their daughters started cheering, the power came back on. 
• May 5 (2006) - Our rehearsal and rehearsal dinner...  Jason's parents hosted the rehearsal dinner at their home.  We enjoyed cocktails and appetizers on the front lawn, followed by dinner in their home.  It was nice to be able to have our rehearsal dinner at their home because it allowed us to spend more time with our family and friends.




• May 6 - Our wedding day... I won't say there were no stressful moments, but no matter the stress, it was the most wonderful day.  Jason and I were married at 4 o'clock in the afternoon at Forest Hills Baptist Church.  We were surrounded by the love of many family members and friends.  Our reception was held at the Albert Coates Local Government Center (home of the NC League of Municipalities - where J's Dad worked before he passed away and where I currently work)
















• After a great wedding reception, we headed off on our honeymoon trip to Nags Head.  It was just the break we needed and the perfect start to our wonderful marriage.

Wow...  I can't believe that it has been five years!  Every single day allows me to see how blessed I am with a great husband - he is the ultimate cheerleader, supporter, and friend.

I love you J!