And I thought I loved you then....

Today marks 11 years of marriage for me and my beau. Wow. It sounds so strange and old to say out loud. When people ask me how long we have been married and I say " Eleven years", they assume that we must be in our early forties. Oh, but rest assured, I am quick to tell them that we are ahem...only 34. (just in case they were wondering, that is.)

Lem and I were married at the ripe age of 23 years old. Our courtship lasted right at 2 years, and in that 2 years, 7 months of it was our engagement period. At the time, it seemed like we were the perfect age for marriage, now looking back it seems a bit young. I really don't think we could have waited much longer, we were finished with college and the time was "right".

As I think back to those days, I remember being so naive about everything. My wedding planning, my expectations, my finances....I was just clueless. Thankfully, God still blesses and loves a clueless girl.

A little about Lem...He is the perfect fit for me. God knew I needed a wise man with good character. No other man would do for this indecisive, care-fee, procrastinating, whimsical young girl. I needed a strong man that could tame this little heart of mine into reality. Perhaps it was being the youngest sibling and always being carried and toted and never really having to make a decision. That's exactly what my big sister was for. I didn't have to think or even talk at times, because she was there to do it for me. Bless her little heart. I still remember sitting on the potty needing to be wiped and my parents sending her little 5 year old self to help. She held her nose the whole time while I looked up to her with my big puppy dog eyes admiring her "big-girlness."

Then along came Lem. He was everything that I ever dreamed of having as a husband. Handsome, funny, witty, smart, educated and self-sufficient. I loved how he could work a room. We would show up at a party in college, my stomach tumbling, my palms sweaty, my nose getting a little oily around the edges, my knees shaking, clutching Lem's arm for support. Then there was Lem...fully confident, big smile, beer in hand, ready to roll. I still love this about him. He leads me and I am happy to follow. He has taught me a lot about "social" situations just by watching him. It just comes easy for him. As I head for the nearest corner, he heads to the nearest gathering. Oh, how I love this about my man!!

One of my favorite things that he does is call me on the phone and he tells me to turn it on a particular station. He always says, "This is my song to you, baby." I always listen intently and grin from ear to ear as I relish each and every word. The last time he did this was last week. The song is probably playing as you read this. It's Brad Paisley's, "Then". If you click the song up at the top right it will start playing. Enjoy, it's a beautiful song.

Lem never ceases to surprise me and he never ceases to adore me. I really don't know what he sees in me, but I will take it none the less. He makes me feel like the prettiest girl in the room every time. Now THAT'S a man that loves me.

Thank you, Lem for just getting better and better with age. Your love for me is like no other. I am grateful to God for the gift of "you." I really do not remember what it was like "BL". (before Lem). Nor do I want to.

We're only getting better with time, darlin'.

and i thought i loved you then,

Jill