I THOUGHT I loved you...

So very, VERY behind on blogging but couldn't let today pass without a post.
See June 17th is kinda an important day around here.  Even more special on Father's Day.
You see it was 12 years ago I walked down the aisle headed toward the man boy I thought I loved most.  He could do no wrong.  He was always so patient with me.  He put up with all my short comings with a smile on his face.  Would drop anything for me. He was perfect in my eyes.  Human with no errors. AWE!! Gag. :) Here we are in our perfection:

Our roles- Me as new wifey.  He as a new hubs.  So young and well...so 10, 20 pounds ago. Obviously real life makes one look heavier. :)
I'll cut to the chase. I was SO wrong.  I didn't love him.  I thought I knew what love was therefore I thought I love him, but had NO idea the depth of that love until this bundle of perfection arrived:

You can think you love a guy and then you see him with a tiny baby asleep on his chest. Watch him scoop up and cradle a crying or hurt kiddo. See him paint a little ones tiny toes or attempts to "fix" her hair.  Find him delicately wrapped around her little finger. :)
Then at 8 yrs old she writes things like this for a school project on dads:

He went to a morning school event for dads & their children.

He's always the one to tuck her in at night.  They read together.  Talk.  Snuggle & tickle her back in the very demanding specific way she wants. :)

Then crazy boy #1 came along...

Then another, his mini-me...

Two boys to wrestle with.  Have constant unsolicited help with manly duties.  4 extra hands wanting to "help" with tools, projects, yard work, etc.  Two little ones who soak up anything super hero, Star Wars, sports or action movie stuff that daddy can share.
And POOF! before you knew it 12 years have passed in what sometimes feels like a blink.  1 dog, 3 kids later, 3 states later, for better & worse, with lots of changes individually & as a family we are still in love, still there for one another, and hopefully, with God's help, setting an example for our three blessings. Times are busy, loud & down right hectic at times. Things are noisy. Patience runs thin. Did I mention LOUD?! :)  Laughter helps us through the days.  Days that can seem so long, yet the years whiz by. The hope of a photo where everyone is looking is a thing of the past.  Semi still and somewhat in the same frame is good enough. Proof below:

Guess I can't really beat myself up for not knowing the truth of love.  Come to find out it wasn't those warm, fuzzy puppy love feelings when all was easy & happy.  Love is work. Love is a choice. Love is to walk through some of the happiest and then some of the darkest most trying days together.  Knowing that the love you committed to one another surpasses the days you'd rather walk.  You see the example from parents and mentor couples who have taught that when something is broke or not working you fix it, not discard it. So thankful for those examples in our life. Love is unconditional.  You always have more in your heart than you know.  Sometimes you have to search deep within and other times it is easy. 
I kinda slacked on the anniversary gift this year...unless I can somehow take credit for orchestrating the Dale Jr. win?!? :)  Hope that was the icing on the cake for our anniversary & Father's Day this year! His support of Dale Jr. demonstrates the loyalty & dedication he has for those he loves.  To support a driver who wins once in like 150 races, he'll obviously stand by me through anything! HAHA! I'm so thankful God gave me a man who works hard to provide for us and has a work ethic & commitment very few these days have...even if he has grown into a Redneck NASCAR fan.
Love you Honey! Boogity-Boogity! :)