Reflection of our day 8.12.

Nine years ago today I married my best friend. It was a wonderful day--warm and sunny with lots of family and friends. Next year we'll watch the wedding video for the first time... Our verse: Romans 8:28 "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God."

Eight years ago today we went to Chicago to enjoy the downtown museums and Navy Pier. We were inexperienced at celebrating anniversaries, so this was a fairly boring trip.

Seven years ago today we celebrated our second anniversary by camping at the Eleven Mile Canyon in Colorado. Since then we have returned twice and has become our perfect vacation spot. Mountains, a river, and campsite #10. Only a water pump and an outhouse are there--if you don't bring the rest of it, you go without! There is something hopelessly romantic about falling asleep under the stars in the fresh mountain air while listening to the water flow down the river, and waking to a multitude of birds excitedly announcing the rising of the sun.

Six years ago today we headed out for a simple dinner at Bennigan's in Des Moines. As we sat over chicken fingers and Death By Chocolate (that sounds gross to me now, too!) we decided that we should do a road trip. We drove back to Ames, gathered a change of clothes and our toothbrushes, and took off for....Duluth, MN. We drove until about 3 AM, stopped at a hotel for the night, then took off again by 8. We arrived in Duluth around noon to take in the views over the lake for a couple of hours, then returned home. Wow, it was a quick trip with a LOT of time in the car, but sometimes car time is prime time for catching up and reflecting. It was refreshing.

Five years ago today we went to the Iowa State Fair for our anniversary. Craig says that was a one time event. He hates fairs. I had a great time, though!

Four years ago today we celebrated our 5th anniversary, again by camping in the Canyon. Love it!

Three years ago we celebrated our 6th anniversary in our first house. We decided to stay home in honor of meeting a major goal of purchasing a home. We did go out to Texas Roadhouse for dinner.

Two years ago we celebrated our anniversary in Colorado. Craig was on a 2 week leave from his depolyment to Iraq. When he flew into Denver, it was the first time we'd seen eachother since he'd left 6 months earlier. We rented a condo in Breck for a few days and just hung out. It was simple but just what we needed after a long separation.

One year ago we celebrated our anniversary somehow but, honestly, I have been racking my brain trying to figure out how. I know we didn't go anywhere, so maybe we just went out for dinner or something. Hmmm.

Today Craig is at work and I am still sitting at home in my PJ's at 11:30. This is rediculous. We had plans to spend the day together on Monday so Craig took the day off of work, but it was not to be, as I was ill. Tonight we will have dinner and go for a nice long walk. Perfect.

Next year....the big 1-0. Plans are in the works for a big trip and jewelry (...I must mention the jewelry part to Craig soon...). Who knows where life may lead us in the next year, but we will be lead with lasting love and the knowledge that "All things (REALLY DO) work together for good to them that love God," and that's all I need.