5 Years Baby!!!

Today marks 5 years of marital bliss for Shane & me!!! Sometimes I feel like we've been together so much longer than that, but then there are also times when I think, gosh, that's kind of a long time!

I've been thinking a lot about this anniversary post. I want to share our story mostly for me. During our courtship, I was terrible at writing things down in my journal so it's not really documented very well. Here it goes!

Shane and I grew up in the same ward at church. We knew each other's families but never really knew each other. There is a three year age difference which prevented us from ever going to school together. So, Shane got home from his mission during the end of my senior year of high school. Not too long after Shane got home, he went to "Jive Night" at the high school with Jason Lloyd...to support Carrie, of course! During the concert I vividly remember spotting Shane in the audience. He was fairly close to the stage, dead center. I couldn't help but feel like he was staring at me the whole time...kind of a weird feeling. Anyway, that night I made a comment to my mom that I had seen Shane Tucker at the concert and thought that maybe he couldn't take his eyes off of me! Little did I know that my suspicions would later be confirmed.

Right after graduation, Shane asked me out. I was getting ready to head off to college, was a little attached to someone else, which resulted in me turning him down. He went to Boise State...I went to BYU-Idaho. The next time I saw him was one weekend in Twin. He brought home a little lady friend to meet his family. They got engaged not too long after that. I remember thinking that they were a cute couple and felt happy for him. I can't believe I was rooting for another woman to take my future husband! Luckily for me, the marriage never happened.

Alright, so two years from the first time that Shane asked me out, he made a second attempt. We were both home for Christmas and ran into each other at church. Our first date was with a few other couples...Jason & Carrie, Kyle & Cara included. We played the game of Cranium and let me tell you, Shane and I did not do too hot. In fact, we lost terribly. We also were pretty cynical and sarcastic to one another. Definetely not a typical way to behave on a first date. After that, I honestly didn't think he would ever call me again...but he did...the very next day! We headed to Pomerelle for a day of snowboarding and had a total blast together.

We both went back to our separate schools and I wasn't sure what would come of everything. Shane was SO persistent. He called me and emailed me EVERYDAY...I'm not exagerating. I couldn't believe it. This might sound weird but he won me over with his emails. He is such a good writer...so charasmatic and witty. I would just read them over and over again...printed them off to read to my mom & roommates. We talked every night and got to know each other really well. We started meeting in Twin over the weekends to spend time together. I was still stunned that I was spending so much time with Shane Tucker. My dad was his scout leader when Shane was like twelve. How could I be falling for Shane Tucker?!??

After awhile, I started freaking out a little. We were planning on going to Moab with his family, some friends, and some of my own family. I started thinking that maybe I didn't want to go and was questioning the relationship. I remember talking to my Dad about it. Being the wise father that he is, he gave me this advise. He told me not to bail out on Moab. He thought that I should go and that doing so would hopefully give me more clarity regarding my feelings for Shane. I did just that. It ended up being a huge turning point in the relationship. After that, I was feeling pretty certain that Shane was the person I wanted to be with. We had a few more bumps before we were engaged but nothing too tragic! We had a really smooth, quick engagement. It poored rain on our wedding day...as some of you might remember!:) My hair looked pretty sad by the end of the day. Who plans for rain in August??? We now know better.

So, here's to my sweet hubby. I never would have thought in a million years that I would marry Shane Tucker. My parents were surprised as most of our friends. But he honestly is the best match for me. I freaked out a little right at the beginning but it was about his height of all things! I'm a short person and I never had to worry about being taller than my date. Shane forced me to go searching for flat shoes like I never have before!!! I got over it and think that he is the cutest person ever! I'm a little worried that our boys might suffer in the height department. If so, they will have a dad that can help them wear it with confidence & style!!

Shane won me over with his quick sense of humor and charmed me with his words. He loves me better than anyone else could. Everyone experiences ups and downs in a marriage but for the most part, our relationship is pretty easy. Amazingly, 5 years and lots of strech marks later, he still thinks I'm hot!!! He works everyday to make me happy and for that I am SO grateful. Thank you for being persistant...for not giving up. You are my best friend, my favorite person. Love you Shane.

I will be posting some pictures of our years together soon...hopefully by tomorrow. I know all of you are dying to see them, right?!??