The Story of Us

Ah, 1:00- the sweet silence of nap time.  All the kiddos are down for their nap and in an effort to avoid cleaning my kitchen, I'm posting this fun "Love" survey I saw on Blue-Eyed Bride.  I'm linking up over to From Mrs. to Mama, where this survey is originally from.

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?
We started dating in October of 2002, which means we've been together for almost 9 1/2 years.  Wow.  That's a really long time.  (this is the oldest picture I have of the two of us that isn't a print... yeah, THAT makes me feel old!)

2. How did you meet? {What’s your “love” story?}
We met at he BCM at the University of Central Oklahoma.  I became good friends with his sister, Emily.  Micah began to spend more and more time with us, which I assumed was totally the norm.  After almost a year of spending time together in groups, he finally cornered me (he literally had to chase me around the BCM!) and asked me out.  I said yes and the rest is history!

3. If married, how long have you been married?
We have been married for almost 8 years. We got married on July 24, 2004.

4. If you are married, where did you get married? Big or small wedding?
We were married in my hometown of Central High, OK.  I'd say it was a medium-ish wedding.  I don't know exactly how many guests were there, but that small town church was packed!

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!
We really don't.  Micah isn't a fan of nicknames, nor does his name really lend itself to any!  Go ahead and call him Mike... see what happens.  Oh, he does like to call me "shorty" just to irritate me...

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.
He is hands down the wisest, most humble and godly man I know.  His love for the Lord is so consuming, yet never displays itself in any kind of pride.  His love is completely unconditional, and nothing shakes it.  He is my rock- the steady hand that calms me when I need it most.  He challenges me to be the best version of myself and to grow in my relationship with the Lord.  I'm pretty sure that's more than three, but I could keep going forever.

7. Tell us how he proposed?
Setting the stage: My love language is words.  I love them.  You can hold my hand or sit by me for hours and that's great- but write me a letter and I'll cherish it forever.  Also, I may or may not have given him a timeline to propose... so he had told me we were going to Tulsa the next weekend for our "Christmas date."  I just knew that was going to be the night he did it.  Now, let's move on.  He picked me up on a Saturday night with roses and a card.  Nothing too out of the ordinary, so I wasn't suspicious yet.  We went to Starbucks, drank coffee and played board games- which we loved to do on our dates.  While we were there, he gave me another card, saying he couldn't decide between the two.  Still not that weird.  Next we went to Panera, site of our first date (rain had ruined our initial first date picnic plan).  As we ate our supper, he gave me a third card.  At this point, I'm getting suspicious.  We went back to my apartment to watch the first Lord of the Rings movie so I would be prepared to watch the next one when it came out later in the month.  I thought for sure we'd get there and he would propose.  And then he turned on the movie.  So we're sitting there, watching the stupid movie and I was SO MAD.  10 minutes into the movie (exactly, he later told me he was watching the clock the whole time!) he paused it and said he would be right back.  He went out the door and came back with a fourth card.  After I read the card, he got down on one knee and read a poem he had written for me.  We both cried; I said YES!  I ran across to my cousin's apartment and told her, then we drove to my parents to see them and tell them the good news!  It couldn't have been more perfect!

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?
Neither?  I'm not really either of those types of girls though. I usually get flowers and something I've been wanting. 

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?
Relax on the couch, definitely.  That's not to say I don't love the beach or sunsets, but I love to be relaxed at home.  I especially enjoy being in my sweatpants. :)

10. Tell us one thing you’d like to do with your significant other one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?
Honestly, the thing I love doing the most with Micah is serving.  I guess my dream would be going somewhere that let us both use our gifts.  Oh, and it would be cool to see Israel.

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine’s Day.
Since having John Mark, we've always spent the actual Valentine's Day at home with him.  We order heart pizza from Papa John's and eat it picnic style in the living room.  Last year I wrote little things I loved about both of them on hearts and put that around on the floor.  We always go out just the two of us either before or after.  This year we're going out on Friday.  Dinner at a yummy restaurant and maybe a movie.  I'd really like to see The Vow.

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine’s day?
Nothing in particular.  I'm horrible at thinking up things I want under pressure.  It's always after the fact that I think "oh man, I really wish I would have asked for ________."  But of course, my best gift ideas for others usually come to me randomly!

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love.
Treat each other the way you want to be treated.  Give him the grace you want to receive.  Laugh a lot and don't take life too seriously.  Remember why you fell in love.  Fight hard to keep your marriage a safe place.  Never, ever talk bad about your spouse to a member of the opposite sex.

14. Show us a picture of what love means to you.