08.24.03

Six years ago today my best friend Kat invited me over her house to hang out in her backyard. It was a gorgeous summer evening and she and her boyfriend were having a few friends over. I had just finished my summer job as a camp counselor and was looking forward to a week off before heading back to University in Connecticut for my junior year. I was definitely not looking for a boyfriend.

My friend casually mentioned that a Marine was going to be there {I already sort of had this

huge thing for military guys}. I just thought that it would be someone I could talk to. Little did I know that this whole evening had already been planned out. Skip was best friend with Kat's boyfriend. Skip had been in their kitchen a few nights before. He was lamenting that he was looking for a girlfriend and proceeded to describe his 'perfect' girl. Kat jumped up and exclaimed, 'I know her!' He had apparently described me to a T. They then set the ball in motion for us to meet.

Anyways, I got to Kat's house and ended up sitting next to Skip on the wooden picnic table. We talked all night until he had to leave {he was in the police academy at the time, oh yea and was bald because of it!} I had a great time and told Kat I would definitely hang out with him again.

We hung out again four days later and the night after that went out on our first date. After that night I was done, I never looked at another boy after that. I was 20 years old and had just found the man of my dreams.

The past six year have been the best of my life, since I have had Skip by my side. We have been through so many happy, wonderful, sad, trying, amazing times together. Here's a little rundown of what we have been through:

- long distance

- college

- Police Academy

- Marines

- deployment

- engagement

- wedding

- death of a friend

- hospital visits

- pesky neighbors

- parties

- jobs

- buying a condo

- selling a condo

- buying a house

- two dogs

- tons of fish

- and a beautiful baby girl

There is no one I would rather go through life with than Skip. He is my rock and so much more than I ever dreamed of in a husband. I love you baby. Here's to many more years and memories together!

A picture of Skip and I the night we 'officially' became boyfriend/girlfriend. We looked like such babies!