I Am My Beloved's, and My Beloved Is Mine

In honor of it being my 18th wedding anniversary today, here are 18 things in a somewhat random order about Big D & Lil D.

1. We met at the Wal-Mart Big D worked at with my then stepmother. Then we spent the day at a water park with Coastie Brother & 2 other guys. I was 18 and he was 22.



2. My then stepmother wanted to introduce me to her coworkers (about 4 young guys) thinking if I had a boyfriend, I wouldn't be at home much. This theory backfired on her.



3. I dated Big D's roommate for about a month first.



4. To Big D's horror, my stepmother is actually the one who asked me out for him. That is so what he didn't want her to do which means she did it on purpose. We went to see Who Framed Roger Rabbit. And we make a point to watch it on or around July 15th every year.



5. I remember how impressed I was that he opened the car door for me. He also opened the doors and allowed me to enter the building 1st. To this day, he still does both. Even if he's mad.



6. My stepmother described the guys like this: K is the cutest. J is best all around. Stay away from M. Big D is the one with the most money. I'm pretty sure she thinks that's the reason why I chose him.



7. Because of her being the Wicked Stepmother and all, Cinderella is my fairy tale. And Big D my Prince Charming.



8. December 31st is not the date we wanted for our wedding date.



9. My family was the only family members in attendance at our wedding. Have I ever mentioned that Big D is an only child?



10. In the course of our marriage, we have owned 6 cats and 2 dogs (all at different times). We've had Cleo & Ty longer than any of the previous pets.



11. It has not always been Happily Ever After.



12. My family (mainly my brothers) says if we ever get divorced, they get Big D.



13. The 1st 2 times we went to Disney World together, I became pregnant shortly after we returned home. Lamb is a Disney World baby. Bear is not.



14. Coming from twice divorced parents, the thought of 'forever' was a hard concept for me. I figured if we could make it 10 years (longer than either parent had been married at the time), we would make it 'forever.' We did and I got a new wedding ring setting. I kept my original diamond and still wear the original wedding band. The original band cost less than $20, btw. Big D's cost $29.



15. 15 is our special number. For our 15th wedding anniversary, we went to Vegas and renewed our vows. On the date we wanted for our wedding date. Just the 2 of us. We chose the Graceland Chapel. See that? Jon Bon Jovi was married there as well! Elvis did NOT officiate our ceremony tho.

16. We were married (original wedding, not Vegas one) by the same man who baptized me. He also married my parents. Bad sign? Nah.



17. I was pregnant with Lamb when we celebrated our 4th anniversary. I'm pretty sure I was pregnant with Bear when we celebrated our 7th anniversary.



18. There was a time when Big D was working 3 jobs so I could stay home with Lamb. Luckily, that didn't last long. Before that, he worked 2 jobs so I could work part-time and go to nursing school. No, I am not a RN.

Big D still writes me poems. He still makes me laugh. He still takes care of me. We still enjoy each other. I was 19 and he 23 when we married. No one thought it would last. 18 years. It boggles my mind because I still feel like that 18/19 year old girl.