Fifteen years and counting...

Fifteen years ago today, I walked down the aisle arm and arm with my dad to be greeted by my smiling and somewhat tearful groom. Although many of the details of our wedding have faded, I can still picture Don's huge smile and the tears in his eyes as he took me as his wife.

Due to Don's job as a Naval Officer, Don and I spent the majority of our first three married years apart. Our months apart were lonely and not without challenge but we made it while other couples did not. Through the years, we have also weathered other marital storms such as some medical scares, infertility, and extreme work schedules. God mercifully has carried us through those storms, as well.

Despite little bumps in the road, the good times have far outweighed the bad. The other night we were reflecting about our life together and here are 15 of our favorite times since we've been married (in no particular order):

1. Our incredible 10 day honeymoon in Cancun

2. Living in and experiencing Maine together

3. Gathering around an old hand-me-down piano (late at night) to sing Christmas carols in our garage on Christmas eve with bachelors and other couples too poor to make it home

4. A great trip to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Canada

5. Our vacation to Aruba

6. Traveling to Bermuda with Chris & Megan Marchese and riding our mopeds around the island. The sand really is pink!

7. Being reunited in Rome and Sicily. Too bad we didn't get to spend time together in Florence or the romantic city of Venice but Meg was a great date!

8. Season tickets to the Majestic Broadway Series. To quote Don, "a guaranteed date."

9. Going to Spurs games and other sporting events

10. Returning to Cancun for our 10 year anniversary. Westin Hotels have the MOST comfortable beds as they advertise.

11. Holidays with family and friends

12. Singing on road trips

13. Valentine's Day 2004--the ultimate all day and night date

14. Traveling to China to bring home Lindy and those last few days together as a childless couple. Hiking the Great Wall together was especially moving!

15. Becoming parents

Before we were married, we probably we would never have believed some of the things we would experience together. There have definitely been many surprises! I look forward to seeing what the next 15 years hold for us and our life together.