Anniversary! A few months late!

I realized I never really did an anniversary post in December, and with Dan being gone and me missing him, I thought I would do one now! Here goes!

Dan and I have been married 8 years (December 19)! I knew the first time I met him there was something about him! I guess you could say love at first sight but it was more than that! It was a peace in my spirit! Like coming home after a long trip

My family moved to Montana while Dan was on a mission to the Philippines. We moved into the same branch as his Grandparents. I remember hearing about Dan because his grandparents would talk about him. But I don't remember thinking anything special about it! A couple of days before he came home I remember his grandparents talking about him and feeling a leap in my heart!
I ended up going to a singles conference by his Mom's house invited by his step brother and showed up with his cousin (I was friends with his step brother and his grandparents asked his cousin if I could get a ride! See!!)! I remember pulling into the parking lot at the church and his cousin introducing me to Dan and seeing this thin, tan, young man, with huge glasses! And thinking here he is! I didn't know why I thought this! I didn't know him!
I was planning on staying at his house that weekend. Dan had been home from his misson 2-3 days! He didn't have any of his non-mission clothes and his suitcases were still packed!
I sat listening to him tell about his necklaces he brought back for his mom and sisters and his future wife! I did not say, "oh I'm her!"! I did not think that! I just remember enjoying listening to him! We danced once that weekend and he seemed nice but not interested in girls ( I mean he had been home 3 days!)!
Things happened and I needed a ride back home! Dan set somethings up and his friends who were heading that way! He said he could come and drive me the rest the next day and see his grandparents ( Thanks grandma!!)!
I remember on the way home pulling into the garage to get his pre-mission stuff and him going off on how fantastic his car was! I just listened and smiled as he talked about his family and friends and his mission! I loved listening to him! He dropped me off at my parents house with a, "I'll see you later."!
I remember saying to some friends that there was something different about him! Something special about him!
Many dates later, long talks, phone calls, and visits I knew with out a doubt that I loved this man! And there was something special and different about him! I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him!

So here we are, eight years, four kids, six moves, a mortgage, 1 dog, 7 cars, and a BS & MBA later! And the one thing that is different from then than now is I know who I am, I know what it means to be a mother and a wife and to be an adult! But I also know I love him more now than I did then and I really did marry the man that is so much more than the man of my dreams!
I am grateful to have him as my best friend and my husband! To know that we are together forever! And that this is so much more than till death do we part! It is through the Eternities! Every day is not perfect! I am not perfect! But I am glad that he continues to over look my flaws and many imperfections and loves me anyway!
Here is to the next 80 years! Whatever they hold we can handle it together!!