Eighteen Flippin' Awesome Years.

It's official, eighteen years with the man of my dreams.

The beginning 
My journal states that I met Michael, October 3, 1991 in Ensley, Alabama where we were both serving as missionaries for our church,   His name wasn't mentioned the first time I met him, but my journal pages following are filled with experiences we had with members or investigators in the area or P-Day activities (such as me gloating that I kicked Elder Palmer and Wood's butt in racquetball).   Another time I wrote how he told me my status as a missionary was going down.  I wrote that I gave him a piece of my mind and explained I wasn't here to impress my Zone Leaders.   I really didn't like him at first.

Michael was an AWESOME missionary!

Even though Michael was "full of himself", obnoxious, and a bit energetic, we ended up being really good friends.  I was always impressed with the way he could walk into a strangers house and become instant friends, helping himself to contents in their fridge and then inviting them to church.  He had an infectious laugh, dimpled smile, charming southern accent.  Of course, being a missionary I didn't recognize those physical qualities until AFTER I got home (*wink, wink).  What impressed me the most was his testimony of Jesus Christ.  He was an amazing missionary.

Fast forward.. Elder Palmer is transferred into another area (his last).  While serving in Greensboro (Catfish Capital of Bama), I received a surprise visit in March of 1992 before he left to go back home to Gilmer, Texas.   He tells me that President Matthews wanted him to bring down some Book of Mormons since we were running low (we were).  It wasn't until later that I put two and two together.  A few weeks after, President Matthews came down to our area and handed us a full box of books during a Zone Conference.  That lil' rascal!

Michael's "official" missionary visit before heading home.

A few weeks later after Michael went home, I received a letter in the mail telling me about his venture home, his future plans, how he admired me for "this and that" and ended the letter stating he would like to date when I get home.  SCCREEEEECCCCHHH!!  What the heck?

Yes, I thought Elder Palmer was a GREAT guy, he was charming (but he was with everyone).  I didn't see that one coming.  My companion at the time would say otherwise (especially when we put two and two together about his "official visit").  I immediately wrote him back telling him that I was flattered, but I had another 8 months to serve and to get on with his life.  I heard from him a handful of other times during the next 8 months, but nothing that would make me SCREEEEECH!!

Sometime during November 1992, a few days before I was headed home from my mission, I got a call.  My missionary companion said, "Bubba" is on the phone.  "Bubba?"   When I answered it was Michael, "Heeeeeeyyyyy!  You are coming home!  Are you excited?  I'm in Utah.  Can I come to the airport?"

Me:  "Seriously?"  Who is this guy?

I tell him no (awkward silence).  I didn't share this with him, but my biggest fear at the time was, "What are people going to think if Elder Palmer was to show up at the airport!?"

*Gasp*

I am freaking out at this point.  Breaking the awkward silence I invite him to my homecoming.  Michael will tell you that I completely ignored him at my homecoming, but he still had the courage to ask me out on a date.  Freaking out again!!  I'm home one day, going on my first date with an Elder from my mission, and.... I kind of like him.

Our first date was a hockey game and video after with his best friend, Elder Low from our mission.  We had a blast, I had a side ache from laughing, and I REALLY noticed the infectious laugh, dimpled smile, charming southern accent.   Our night did not end with a kiss (that may have put me over the post-missionary edge), but he saluted me at the door.  I held in my laugh until I went inside the house and burst out laughing.  That's right folks, a salute.  Even more endearing.

Dating Days.

From that day on, we continued dating, were engaged and were married and sealed for all eternity on September 8, 1993.

Reflections
I look back at our 19 years of marriage.  Along with some really great times, we've had our share of challenges.  Getting through college, cancer, children with disabilities, and balancing our lives, including staying connected with a husband who travels 50% of the year, and a wife (that's me)  that has little patience and is guilty of  get easily frustrated.

Thank goodness for the gospel of Jesus Christ, the knowledge of eternal families, sacred promises we have made to God and each other, and a darn good marriage therapist.

What I LOVE about Michael

Hilarious
Michael has a zest for life, and is one of the most positive people I have ever met.  He often makes me laugh, even when I don't feel like it.  It's not uncommon to get a call from Michael that will start like this.  "You are never going to believe what I just did..."  or  we will be driving along with our thoughts to ourselves when he will unexpectedly burst out into laughter.  When I get him to stop laughing he will start with, "I just had this random memory of when I was 13 and I...."  Never, never a dull moment.  Ask my kids who won't go to bed without turning on all the lights, checking under their beds, behind their door, in their closets.. looking for dad.

This picture pretty much describes the last 19 years....

Amazing Everything.
Aside from being an amazing husband, Michael is the ultimate Father.  He deeply cares about each of our children, will do things for them that they have no idea he orchestrated, and invests so much time and energies to make sure they are happy, safe, and loved.  Michael also deeply cares about family.  He is always wondering about his parents, brothers, sisters, my family, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles.  His heart is definitely bigger than Texas.

Hard Worker

When we met, Michael's goal was to bypass college and become a UPS driver (good pay, good benefits).  Coming from a family where college was expected, I shared that if he got a degree it would open more opportunities.  Even though he had fears of failing, he listened.  When we were dating, he took a psychology class at UVU (I always wondered why he chose that) and got an A.  He didn't turn back and before Megan was born he earned his Bachelors.   Michael is one of the hardest workers I know.  At one point in our marriage he was working 4 jobs and going to school so I could concentrate on finishing up my schooling and internship.  Because we had one vehicle, he would take the bus to Weber State without complaint so I could have the car.   I never doubted that Michael would be successful at whatever he put his mind to.  

Simple, Supportive, Fun.

I love that Michael strives to have a simple, uncomplicated life.  He cares about serving God and his neighbors, his family, work, and having fun.   He literally bends over backwards to support me as a mother and my crazy volunteer quests.    He loves golf, recreating, and watching the Dallas Cowboys play (win or lose).  Michael isn't afraid to cry or show emotion.  He has seen "The Help" twice already and recommends it to all of his friends. He stayed up reading the Twilight Series and wanted to discuss and analyze the characters before going to bed.   The kids love to tease him about crying in the "Justin Bieber Movie".   I call him "my Phil" from Modern Family because of his quirky antics and soft heart, but he gets mad and tells me he is more like Jay.  Nope, Phil.

When Michael's excited..everyone's excited!

Love you honey!  Happy Anniversary :)

P.S.  Thanks for the flowers & handwritten note.