i remember

i remember seeing photos of you..

and thinking,

"he is so handsome.

ah stop.

he is a missionary.

that is weird.

ohhh my gravy...

where is that kid from?!"

i remember dismissing those photos from my mind

and fast forwarding my life..

i remember being foolishly heartbroken.

 i remember never wanting to date a stupid boy ever again.

i remember my sister calling me 

asking if i wanted to go on a date with you.

my first instinct: 

"no."

i was given a comforting feeling.
a weird awareness in the back of my mind..

"okay. i guess."

i remember you getting lost in logan.

go four blocks north. 

that's 400 north.

go 5 blocks east.

that's 500 east.

why is it so hard? 

i remember freaking out 

because through texting, 

i really liked you.

 a lot.

but that wasn't enough.

i remember you pulling into the roundabout.

driving that sexy jeep...

and me standing there in an outfit that took me 24 hours to pick out.

i remember driving to olive garden.

and i remember complimenting your hazel eye balls.

i remember that first kiss that took my breath away.
the kiss i always dreamed of..
you know..
"the kind that made you smile during liplock?"

i remember that same comforting feeling telling me 

i was going to marry you someday.

i remember forgetting about the stupid boy that broke my heart.

and i remember saying those three meaningful words
 two short weeks after meeting you.

 i remember the heart-wrenching three and a half months we spent apart.

and i remember going ring shopping with my mama.

she didn't want me to get married.

but she knew it was right.

i know she did.

i remember you lying about why you drove to california...

when it was really just to buy an engagement ring for your girlfriend.

and i wear it every day.

and stare at it..daily.

i remember when we said 

"yes" across the alter.

and i will forever cherish the priceless memories we have made.

someone told me last week that our love was inspiring.

that we were here to show others how to love.

and i believe it.

we have been through hell and back together.

and most days, i don't know how my love can get stronger.

but it does.

i love you, mr. schroeder.

and i can't wait to make a family with you!