The other day my husband and I were talking about our relationship. It was so great because we reminisced on how we met and the course that our relationship has taken since then. Just to fill you in so you know our history, it started like this:

I had just gotten out of a 4 year relationship and was working at a place that went on strike. I had to cross the picket line everyday and so a guard service was brought in to protect us as we crossed that line. Well, there was this very handsome guard with dimples that I looked at everyday and I was trying to figure out how to ask him out without seeming like I was too needy or forward. So, the guard that actually worked at my work, got this man's phone number for me at the hotel he was staying at. i was not supposed to know that information, but I told him I would keep a secret.

This man's name was David. At the time, I did not know that Don and David were two different people. They looked about the same when I drove by at 45 mph and both had great dimples. I went on a date with David and all he did was talk about his friend Don and how sad and depressed he was etc. It was an odd evening, one I was not sure I wanted to repeat. Anyways, the next morning, I received a call from David on a cell phone. Don's Cell phone. When I called later that day to tell David that I didnt want to go out that night, Don answered, and his voice was so sexy and he was so easy to talk to, not at all sad and depressed like David talked about. After work, I did some of my errands and then I went up to that hotel to see Don and we stayed up all night talking. It was the most fulfilling time I had had in a long time. My initial thought was that he was going to be a one night stand for me. I am the type of person that is very committing and faithful and did NOT do one night stands, ever. However, after the breakup of the previous relationship, I wanted to try not having feelings. That did not work at all. After spending several hours talking, (poor Don got no sleep and had to work the next day) I felt so refreshed and new again, and that one night stand thing didnt pan out that way.

In talking with David on the night we went out, he said his friend Don was visiting from California and that he would be moving back there when the guard contract was over. So, when I was talking to Don, I told him I would be his " present" until he went back....but he said he lived in Oregon now and would not be going back. This was good news to me as I could see this relationship going pretty far. We continued to see each other every day for several hours after work and talked and really got to know one another. When he was done at the guard job, he moved in with me and then a few weeks later proposed to me. We had known each other for 9 weeks when he proposed. No one thought it would work out, but it has been the best thing next to my children that has ever happened to me. We married 7 months after we met and will be celebrating our 7th anniversary this year.

What we honestly can say about our marriage is how great we flow together. We have our issues as all marriages do, but we laugh when we fight because we know that fighting means there is growth to be had in our relationship. The one thing I can say that my husband has helped me with is growth. He has shown me what it means to have an open mind about things. He comes to our marriage with an open view of things so when we do have a disagreement, I am able to look beyond that at the big picture. He is a great father to both of our girls and he is good at surprising me with the little things when I least expect it. He is such a strength for me when I need it and we laugh alot together. I can honestly say he is my best friend.

We both strive for that true "intimacy" in our relationship. That is when we get down to the nitty gritty in talking and we do that almost weekly. It is such a gift that he is so sensitive and a great listener. I am truly blessed! 7 years has gone by so fast, here is to many more to come!