15 years today!!

Today it is 15 years since the first date that M and I had. I wanted to post some pictures, but our friend who has some has no access to a scanner, so alas, no visual reminders today. I also want to share the entire story, but alas, no time! My girlies desperately need a bath, I gotta do dishes and my trainer will be here at 8:00! Another time. One cool thing I will mention, the two couples who we went on the date with - it was at Bible school, the Christmas banquet night - also got married and we are all still together and happy to still be with each other. One of the other couple's it was their first date as well. Pretty cool if you ask me. :)
Happy 15th M! I have loved being with you all these years! I LOVE YOU!!

Our anniversary trip

**Warning - long post, though most of it is pictures***

DH and I took Tuesday just before noon until Thursday just after noon and went away, just we two. R stayed with my in-laws and they all had so much fun! We stayed at a B&B and enjoyed ourselves. We explored Powell River on Tuesday went kayaking off the Okeover Arm (sorry, no pics of that yet as we used our waterproof camera which has film! No quick viewing!) and took a look around Lund, then had supper at the Laughing Oyster Restaurant on Wednesday, explored the property of our B&B on Thursday and came home. It was so nice just to get away and enjoy each other's company without distraction.On the ferry - headed to Powell River for our anniversary trip.
Hotham Sound - you can see Freil Falls on the mountainside. DH and I have kayaked up to there a previous summer.
DH watching the sun setting over the water.
We two - excuse the camera shadow, but it was the best picture that we took of both of us this evening.
A totem at a lookout east of Powell River.
Boats at the marina at Lund, BC.
The sign at Lund - this is the very end of the 101 highway - you can see the end of the world from here! :)
Another pic of the boats in the harbour.
The view from our table at the Laughing Oyster Restaurant.
Some person had attached an Ultralite to a Zodiac boat and was flying it around. DH was extremely intrigued! He flew it so high, it disappeared over the mountain and was gone over half an hour. DH was genuinely concerned that something happened, but it appeared just as we were leaving. Good thing or DH would've worried all night about it! :)

My DH of 10 years!
Me - looking extremely tired.
Another view of the harbour
Us

10 years and still laughing together
The sunset from a lookout on the east side of Powell River.

The B&B we stayed at - Herondell Bed & Breakfast
There was a couple from Cornwall, England that were staying there as well, Greg and Hilary. They were going birdwatching most every day. We had breakfast together both mornings. The pie in the front was an anniversary pie for us!
Alex and Nancy Hollman, our hosts. They were so sweet, they gave us a balloon, and some drinks and a card and the pie for our anniversary. They live on 40 acres and have definitely made it a place that you would want to visit. It was very comfortable and relaxing. We had a room with two double beds and a bathroom that had a large shower with a seat it in and a deep jacuzzi tub. We would most definitely stay there again and if you are ever in Powell River, BC, you should too! :)
The gazebo and lake out back

Married for 10 years!

The lily pond in the front yard
Cutest license plate for a Smart Car - "Haf Car"
Look where they park it!

Some of the landscaping around the house

Happy 10th Anniversary to us!

Today is DH's and my tenth anniversary! It is so hard to imagine that we have been married for 10 years already. It seems like just yesterday that we were preparing to get married and I would move to Brandon, MB where DH had been since May so that we could work in our first church. So much has happened since then - friends made, people we worked with, two places we lived, three churches we worked in and now a new one that we are happy to call home. We have travelled to Mexico twice - one on a mission and one a vacation. We travelled throughout New Zealand and some of Australia. We have been to BC numerous times and kayaked a lot of the area around Egmont and yesterday some of the waters near Desolation Sound. We have hiked many trails, in BC, Alberta and Manitoba. We have camped in numerous places - in one awesome tent! We have a son who is amazing , who we marvel at every day! He is incredible and the very best of the both of us combined!
And then there is my husband, who I have been through all of this with. There has been good times and bad times - though many more good times. I am so thankful that of all the men in the world who potentially could have been my husband, God gave him to me. I was telling DH yesterday that I have experienced so much more that this life has to offer, and have tried so many more things and seen so more of this world God created because of him. He stretches me and though I may resist at the time, or not entirely look forward to it, I enjoy it when it is happening and look back at it with fond memories.
DH makes me laugh and we enjoy life together. I never laugh so much as when I am with him.
He makes me see things through a different lens at times and it helps me grow. I appreciate that. I think I would be quite content to stay stagnant and never work to grow intellectually or spiritually if not for the challenges that DH issues to me, ones to think about as well as to do.
I am so very, very thankful for my hubby. I love you, M and am looking forward to many more decades with you!

Then - August 2, 1997

Now - August 2, 2007 ...at the B&B we stayed at...

...on the ferry from Saltery Bay to Earl's Cove...

...with Hotham Sound in the background.