A Decade

A decade. 10 years. 3,648 days. This is what I am celebrating today- 10 years ago was my first date with Steve and it was a date that changed both our lives forever! It is so hard to believe that it has been 10 years already, but on the other hand it doesn't feel like it has been that long at all!

When we met I was just a 21 year old college kid and he was a recent college graduate, trying to get his new career up and running. He took one look at me, with my tattoos and short shorts, and said no way will I date her, she is a party girl! Now true, I was still partying quite a bit, but isn't that what you are suppose to do at that age? We hung out in several group settings over the next few months and finally turned up the flirtatious chat during several bonfires with our friends in the month of October. At the prodding of our close friends' Manny & Cassie, who were newly engaged, we had a dinner with just the four of us and that is when the official date was made! Steve approached me on the way to my car and asked if I would like to try this on our own, the whole date thing. We made plans for the next night and I was beyond excited!

We had an amazing first date, the best I had ever experienced. Steve was very prepared for the evening and had our date all planned out, however, he had wanted to go to PF Chang's, which at that time was brand new and did not accept reservations. When we arrived there was a 3 hour wait and we both said no way. After several different stops we settled on the revolving restaurant at the top of the Ramada Inn and enjoyed a wonderful dinner overlooking the lights of downtown Cincinnati. The conversation never had an awkward lull and hours had passed before we were ready to leave. We then followed our dinner up with a stroll through Sawyer Point, and even though it was chilly, it was a perfect end to an already incredible night!

By our second date we knew that we had met our soulmate, the one that God had made for each of us. The love that we share is one with God at the foundation and built on trust and honesty. Steve is truly the other half of my heart and soul, as well as my best friend and I am blessed to have shared the past 10 years with him. 10 years ago today I had no idea how much that one date would change the course of my life and from it my dreams came true. I married a wonderful man that loves me deeply and unconditionally, and he made me a mother to 3 beautiful children and he works hard so that I get the privilege of staying at home with them to watch them grow. I can only look forward to another amazing 10 years!