A Long, Long Time Ago…

Do you know what today is? You DON’T??? Its April 29, 2009, of course. Do you know what that means? You DON’T??? It means that 10 years ago today – this very, exact day – Chris and I had our first date. We were 16. And I forgot about the date and stood him up.

At the time, he was working as a cashier at K-Mart and I was supposed to pick him up on his dinner break and we were going to go out on our first date. I don’t remember what I was doing, but I know that about 45 minutes after I was supposed to pick him up, I finally remembered. I jumped in my mom’s car and flew up to K-Mart just in time to see Chris walking across the parking lot, carrying a McDonald’s bag. He had walked across the street and gotten his own dinner. We ended up sitting in my mom’s car and talking while he finished eating.

Thankfully, we’ve have many more dates together over the past ten years. And I showed up to all of them.

I don’t have to tell you all what Chris means to me. At least, I hope I don’t. I hope that even when I’m complaining and making fun of and criticizing him, my love for Chris still comes through. I wish you all could know him. Everyone should have a Chris in their lives. Someone who is truly, 100%, all the time, unconditionally on your side. Someone who looks at you and sees the good AND the bad and loves you even more for both. Someone who keeps you grounded while encouraging you to soar higher. Someone who makes everything fun.

If you are lucky enough to have a Chris in your life, then you understand how blessed I have been to spend the last ten years of my life with him.

Happy Anniversary, Pookey.

17 Comments

Sarah Hash

April 29, 2009 at 6:34 am Reply

Happy Anniversary! I do have a Chris myself…except that he’s a Ryan. We started dating on Christmas in 1997, and just celebrated 11 years this past Christmas! Have a great day!! 🙂

Sarah Hash

April 29, 2009 at 6:52 am Reply

I forgot to say we were 15 when we started dating..in 10th grade. And now we’re 26 (I wan going to say almost 27…but why rush it. ha)

Chris

April 29, 2009 at 7:43 am Reply

Aww… thanks sweetie.. Happy fake anniversary to you too! 🙂

Hallie

April 29, 2009 at 8:19 am Reply

Started dating John when I was 16 and he was 17. 23 years later, 18 of them married, it keeps getting better and better.

Hallie
http://wonderfulworldofweiners.blogspot.com/

Alexandra

April 29, 2009 at 9:03 am Reply

Awh ~ you guys are too cute.
I found your website about a month ago from a posting that one of you left on Pioneer Woman. And once inwhile I hop on over to read your postings. They are great 🙂
I too have almost been with my honey for 10 years (this December), but only married for almost 4.
Good luck with the Bean ~ and congrats on 10 years 🙂

Sonya

April 29, 2009 at 9:50 am Reply

Congrats!!! Here’s to another 10!

Katherine

April 29, 2009 at 9:50 am Reply

Love that closing thought about having a Chris in your life – absolutely adorable and so on-point!!

Haley

April 29, 2009 at 10:07 am Reply

Congrats!! I’m so happy for both of you. Can’t wait to see what adventures await when the Bean comes.

Lori

April 29, 2009 at 10:36 am Reply

Every time you write about your relationship with Chris, I cry. I use to think that it was because I was pregnant and emotional, but it is really because I am a big sap. Your love story is just so freakin’ cute!

I still celebrate Aaron and my first “date”–if you consider getting drunk at Beers and then making out a “date.” Ah, what a story for the kids someday…

Laura

April 29, 2009 at 10:56 am Reply

Happy Anniversary! I’m soooooooooooo glad you have Chris in your life.

I think the FIRST time I ever read your blog, back when I was a hated stalker, it was a rant on Chris – totally IN LOVE – but I didn’t know that and was like WHO IS THIS GIRL?

THEN, I saw how much you love this man and how special your relationship is…

Jennie

April 29, 2009 at 12:04 pm Reply

This is a sweet post. 🙂 I do have a “Chris” in my life, too, and he’s incredible. Also, coincidentally, he’s a technical theater person – a current technical director and aspiring lighting designer. So I know what you’re talking about when you mention USITT and things like that.

Anyway, I enjoy the humor and life in your posts. Congrats on 10 years!

Jennifer

April 29, 2009 at 12:58 pm Reply

Aww. When you really love someone you have to complain and making fun of and criticizing them. Thats how you keep them humble and grounded. 🙂 Nobody’s perfect and it comes along with living with them. Its such a wonderful feeling to have someone who is 100% always supporting you no matter what. Congrats on your ‘anniversary’.