Thursday, May 22, 2008

Those Days


I was 15. He was 17.

A freshman and Junior in High School.

We were young, vibrant and full of...DRAMA!

That is, at least I was.

We had been dating "officially" for about 8 months when this photo was taken. We "talked" for six months prior. We were friends first, even if we were in L-O-V-E.

We wanted to take it slow.
Little did we know that taking it slow was an understatement and it would be another 8 years before we married.

Time is funny like that...it goes slow when you want it to speed up and fast when you wish it would slow down.

Our days revolved around each other, like most young couples do.

I would wake up every morning at 5 ( I don't do that for just anyone...in fact, I don't do that now for him!). He had to be at swimming practice at like 5:30 or 6 and so every night I would sneak downstairs, grab the cordless and call him in the morning ( my parents thought it was ridiculous for me to have my own phone, not to mention my own line, even though I cried and cried for one. Never got one.) They were quick conversations, but they were sweet and thinking about them now make me smile.

We would then head to school. And by 7:00 we were on the phone again. My dad would be yelling at me to get off until he finally got on the line and would tell us to say goodnight. I then would proceed to hang up, but call again before I went to sleep.

We spent our weekends at church functions, from retreats to conventions, camps, mission trips and weekend outings.

In this picture we are in Corpus Christi at a youth convention.

It was so much fun. I don't really remember too much, but I was with him and that was all I wanted then.

You look back and you think that really wasn't that long ago. But at the same time...it really was. So much happened between then and now. So much growth, so many tears, so many smiles and laughs.

I wish I could remember it all. I wish I knew what I was thinking at this moment.

I imagined this life I am living at 15. I wanted a home and kids and this young man in my life...forever.

I had no idea how hard the journey would be. I had no idea how wonderful life would be. I was innocent. Naive. And it was beautiful.

God is so good. He knew.

He knew life wasn't easy. He knew we would struggle. He knew there would be days when I just wanted to scream and cry. He remembers every tear and every smile.

Perhaps he was preparing me in those years long ago. Perhaps he allowed me to be a romantic and naive and innocent, because He knew I may never really be the same again.

I laugh at what I use to cry about in those days. The heartaches of 15.

I love those days. Those days were so beautiful. Full of life and love. I don't miss them, but I do cherish them. I was so blessed by them.

For more strolls down memory lane, click here.

19 comments:

Kristen said...

Ahhhh! That is so sweet. You are blessed. He's a great man!

And you look so young! I love that picture. I met your hubby when he was 8 years old!

Time flies and I just keep getting older!

Thanks for playing along!

marky said...

That is really sweet! and a good reminder. I too used to do much more for my hubby.. Guess I should take a little trip down memory lane.
I love that you have been friends for that long!

Anonymous said...

So sweet! My hubby and I hung out when I was 15 and were an official couple when I turned 16 - Ah, young love!

Darla said...

I dated someone in high school for 3 1/2 years. He even gave me a "promise" ring. A promise to do WHAT I have no idea cuz we broke up soon after. LOL

marigold said...

This is a great post! I love that you and your husband spent so much time in the early part of your relationship just getting to know each other. That is the BEST!

Anonymous said...

That is so sweet.
How cool to have so much pre-marriage history.

Mama Smurf said...

What a sweet love story!

World's Greatest Mommy said...

Beautiful and sweet. This really touched me, and I can completely relate.

Tanya said...

Wow ... you look EXACTLY the same!! Great story.

Jamie {See Jamie blog} said...

How sweet! Thanks for sharing!

DD said...

cute cute cute!! my parents too wouldnt let me have a phone in my room. i'd get smart and put the cordless in my pillowcase at night. i'd just stop talking when i heard them coming down the hall. crazy stuff we do.

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

That is precious and sweet. I love reading stories like that especially about high school sweethearts

Anonymous said...

Those were the days! What a sweet, sweet post. Made me think back to my teen years too.

Bahama Shores Mama said...

This post was crazy sweet! I loved it. Thanks for the reminders of how time flies.

Alicia said...

What a beautiful love story. You two look adorable in that photo.

Ok, Where Was I? said...

I can't imagine being mature enough at that age to be that in love. Heck, I'm not sure I'm there yet now. What great memories.

Valarie Lea said...

Ahhhh young love, its a wonderful thing :o)

The Apron Queen said...

Aww, you're making me feel all mushy. I grew up with my hubby. Met when we were 12. Hard to think what life would be like w/o him. We took forever to marry too. Didn't get married until 23. It was worth the wait. And yes, God know what he was doing. :D

For your daily dose of vintage goodness & a bit of silliness, stop by Confessions of an Apron Queen, the home of Vintage Thingies Thursdays.

Skubaliscious said...

I totally had my own phone and line...and no need for it! No boyfriends (for the most part) and my friends weren't phone talker types....weird how that works. I think it's amazing that you were dedicated enough to wake up that early just to talk to him. You guys really are a cute couple :-)

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