Lucky 13

Thirteen years ago today, September 26th, 1998, I married Hank.  

We had dated for four years, having met during freshman orientation at college.  Back then he was full of bravado, having just come off a glittering career on the Track and Field team in high school.  And I was hoping to cast off the German Club, band geek image from my high school days.  Guess he was cocky enough to make the first move, and I was smart enough to know a good thing when I saw it.  We spent all four years of college together and married that following fall.

Walking into church with my dad

Our four years of dating was fun and easy.  No waiting by the phone, wondering if Hank would call, wondering if I should call him.  Did I say the right thing?  What was that supposed to mean?  Did he still like me?  We seemed to know each other from the start, never any awkwardness.

Traditional church wedding

We bought our homestead three years after we were married.  Soon we had chickens and sheep.  Then a daughter, then a son.  More sheep, more chickens, a revolving door of cats and two dogs (three if you count my mother's that comes for extended visits).  And here we find ourselves looking back on thirteen years.

I still feel like the girl in these wedding photos (of course, I still look the same).  :)  In a lot of ways we are the same people that we were then, but we've since grown into ourselves, recognized our strengths and weaknesses, settled into the people we'll be for the next 50 years. 

Leaving church under a storm of bird seed

Hank and I have built a good life together.  We're both the type of people who put down roots, hence the Homestead.  This is it for us.  Our little piece of heaven, surrounded by pastures and filled with domestic bliss, small-town friendliness and back-to-basics living.  But don't imagine that we're squeaking away in our rocking chairs every night after supper.  The To Do list never ends, and it includes things like #16 Publish a novel; and #23 Break land speed record.

Leaving church

One piece of our lives that has been there since the beginning is the 1950 Chevy.  Hank bought it in college, scraping together every penny saved by eating Ramen for months.  It has seen many modifications over the years (a few different engines, EFI, twin turbos).  The kids lovingly refer to it as the "Big Red Car."  Selling this car is a deal breaker.  :)

So here's to the next thirteen years, and then the next, and the next.  Can't wait to celebrate our 50th anniversary!  Must get the Chevy a new paint job for that occasion.  :)  Truly, I am so blessed to have this life, this husband.  So many little moments throughout the day make me stop and consider where I am and where I've been.  I am in awe that it's all come together and continues to do so.  My heart warms with the memories and thrills at the possibilities!