On my heart...

In less than two weeks, Scottie and I will be celebrating our 5th dating anniversary!

Our fist picture, at a Round Rock express game, holding our friend's baby boy. So funny it really was a great fam picture :P

I cannot even express how excited, blessed, loved, & humble I have been feeling lately just reminiscing on everything that we have been through. And we have been through a lot. I know... every couple has their ups and downs, but we have had some extremely challenging obstacles that we have made it through.

The first year we met and started dating, we worked at Dave and Busters. I actually trained him (although I don't really remember!), & he quickly pursued my interest. There was one night they had an employee appreciation party, but I was the server for the event because I was only 18 and couldn't take part in the drinking festivities with everyone else... boooo! I am forever grateful though, because I had the luxury of serving the man of my dreams!

When collecting his tab, he mentioned how beautiful I was and "got lost" in tipping... while handing me $10s and $20s, he counted by $1s... so he says he knew what he was doing, but I definitely made a good little chunk off this sugar daddy. For weeks he started coming to the parties my girl friends and I threw, and soon after officially asked me to be his girlfriend after an incredibly delicious and sweet sunset date at the Oasis in Austin on June 1st, 2007.

Anyway, we had such a passion-filled, wonderful year of becoming best friends and working in the restaurant industry, our favorite thing to do was to go dancing. Scott's dad taught me how to two-step the first time I met him, and now Scott and I take the floor every chance we get!! You name the song, we will be on the floor til the place closes down!

There were about 5 months after the 1st year where we constantly struggled though. Bad, BAD fights caused by drinking too much, lack of sleeping, abusing drugs (main reason why I left the restaurant industry, you can't work anywhere it seems without falling into a pit of cocaine, amphetamines, adderall, xanax you name it, we had a huge problem with it). We were young, we were ignorant, we made horrible decisions and it really took a toll on our relationship. Honestly, I couldn't even tell you what that certain piece was that held us together by a THREAD at the time. On the verge of breaking up several times, taking many "breaks", we decided to officially split up - but it only lasted a month.

In that one month, we took on different jobs outside of the restaurant industry, got our lives straightened up, but something was missing. We were miserable without each other. There was a void in my heart that kept leading my mind and my soul to this empty feeling and missing him. Fate has it that we ran into each other about 4 weeks later, and let's just say we've practically been connected at the hip since then. It was one of those moments where the saying "You don't know what you have until it's gone" sums it all up.

There isn't anything I wouldn't do for this boy. We may not be a fairy tale, but I love our love story better. We became each others family. We've suffered through the losses of our parents. His mom, Ruthie, and my dad, Rob both due to pretty sudden circumstances. I lost my dad only a year and a few months ago, and if it weren't for Scott being so supportive knowing what I was going through having been there himself, I would not have had that positive and Godly outlook on the situation that prepared me to be there for my younger siblings who didn't understand, and could not grasp the situation as well.

Now looking back over the years, I am realizing more and more each day that God has a plan for us. Even through the trials, we have had way more triumphs and are better people now then we have ever been. He led us to each other to be each other's better half. To help me have that gracious approach to handeling my father's death. To help him feel like he was so much more than who he thought he was to begin with. To support and believe in each other when we are struggling to believe in ourselves. To have FAITH in the Lord, even and especially when we are being tested and/or we are struggling. God does work in mysterous ways.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says..."Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path."

Since then, we've gone from working 13hr/day restaurant shifts, living in and out with our parents/roomates houses, struggling with finances/jobs... to living in a beautiful apartment, with a precious and spunky little puppy, working for incredible companies and being the best at what we do, going to Church, praying together, saving up to buy our first HOME together, traveling together, & most importantly falling more and more in love every day. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for this man. We are very blessed.

So thank you, Scottie, for bein my knight in shining armor, for always encouraging and supporting me, for being my #1 fan, for playing your guitar for me to make me smile, laugh, and sometimes cry. You are my best friend and love of my life, & I hope to make you the happiest man for many years to come! 

Thank you Lord, for bringing us together and giving us the opportunity and gift of being with each other through life's hardships and more importantly the beautiful moments we have experienced together - and always having faith in each other when times were hard. Our goal this year and for the future, is to build up our relationship with You even more with Your guidance, becoming more active in the church together, and truly putting our relationships foundation on Your Word.

June 1st will be our 5th year. I love you, babe. Happy early anni. :-)