15 Years.....and I still think he's awesome!!

Today, Beau and I celebrate 15 years of marriage, 17 years of friendship, and a family comprised of 4 boys.  We met in Gainesville while we were both attending University of Florida.  He and I both were in separate relationships, so we became friends.  He was a tenant with 3 other roommates in the apartment complex where I was the assistant manager.  He was Pre-Med and I was Business Management.  We were complete opposites and a very unlikely couple.  But as our friendship grew and our current relationships fell apart, Beau and I discovered our friendship was turning into much more.  He went on to change his major and graduate and I, well, left school without graduating and began my career in real estate.  I moved back to Orange Park while he finished up his degree.  Since we were living in towns about an hour apart, our new relationship was long distance, only seeing each other on the weekends.   But it worked.  As with most couples, we have seen our share of unity and also division.  But with each season, good or bad, we make it to the other side with a deeper appreciation for one another and a lesson from God. 

In our years together, we came to accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, learned to appreciate the joy and fear of Zander's birth, the loss of his beloved mother, experienced fostering children, had the blessing of adopting 3 children (one privately and two through foster care), survived 9 months apart while he accepted a new job in New England and I stayed behind to complete our final adoption, made it through a dark time last winter as I was adjusting to a new life, learned to make personal sacrifices for the good of the family, figured out what true communication means, became satisfied with the simpler things, and have accepted our circumstances. 

Lauren Palombo (maid of honor), Kristen Henderson (bridesmaid), Kim Bennett (sister-in-law and bridesmaid)

As sure as I was walking down the aisle on our wedding day that Beau was the right man for me, I am even more confident now.  I'm not blind, though.  As I have watched numerous marriages around me fall apart, marriages that were strong and loving, it always makes me sad.  I know that being married and staying married takes work and dedication from both parties.  It is easy to be married through the good times.  But the hard times?  It is during these tough times that the work and dedication become vital.  I am not a marriage expert and certainly will never claim to be.  I am just thankful that I have a husband that knows how to be selfless, patient, knows when to laugh, knows when to be serious, listens when I need him to, and "fixes" my problem when necessary. 

I realize that we have many more years, God willing, to weather more seasons of our marriage.  I look forward to those.

(Sorry for all the flash spots on the pictures.  I took a picture of these photos from my scrapbook)

In the meantime, the things that I totally love about Beau and our marriage together are:

1.   I love it that we can be silly, transparent, vulnerable, and serious with each other

2.   We still chase each other around the house and act like we did when we first got married

3.   I dig his graying hair

4.   To this day, the man won't wear sandals and it doesn't annoy me anymore

5.   He is a true leader of our home.  He leads with compassion, conviction, and love

6.   He is NEVER too busy for his boys

7.   We still go to bed at the same time together- no matter how late or early

8.   He calls me Missy and I love it

9.   He saves his best stuff for me (silliness)

10. He is a great handyman

11. He is the vomit cleaner-upper

12. He is in charge of helping the kids with their science and math homework

13. Regardless of my current mood, he is calm, patient, and rational

14. He knows me better than I know myself, and still likes me

15. I feel safe when I am with him

16. He eats my dinners even when they have "gone wrong"

17. He can tell by my voice on the phone when he needs to just pick up something for dinner for the family because I am obviously in no mood to cook

18. He occasionally takes the kids out so I can clean the house

19. Our family is his 1st priority

20. He is quiet and always deep in thought....but he shares his thoughts with only me

21. I used to hate Star Wars, but now I can name all the characters (even the remote ones)

22. He gets a little smirk on his face when he is winning a game (I secretly adore that even though I pretend to be mad)

23. He is quiet, but when he speaks, it's meaningful

24. He is kind, humble, and considerate

25. He is a good provider and is a hard, honest worker

26. His quirkiness is cute, his smile is endearing, and his heart is tender


Beau, I know this is way too mushy for your liking.  But, this is a tribute to you, our marriage, and our family.  I love you always. 

I ruthlessly creamed Beau with our wedding cake.  Sorry babe. 

Happy 15th Anniversary to my one true love.  

Missy