Our Christmas Story...

On December 25th 1995, J proposed to me after 3 years of dating!  He had graduated from UCSB and started work for PWC in '94.  I was at CSULB and a Delta Gamma there!  I was so surprised when he proposed to me at Tustin Ranch Golf Course on that Chilly Christmas Day!  I remember it so clearly, it was a bit breezy and I was wondering why we were at a golf course on Christmas afternoon!  I was excited and couldn't wait to get back to DG that Spring to have a candle pass (a candle is passed with the engagement ring on it and the gal who is engaged does not pass it once it gets to her- it's really a great memory for me).  Although, excited, I knew we would not be getting married for some time....I still had 2 years of school left and I wanted to have something of my own (living with a bunch of girls before spending the rest of my life with the man I love)- so we decided a long engagement would do! 



After finishing my final year in DG as president, I moved into our house with J on December 23rd, 1997.  We had scheduled our wedding date for July 11, 1998.  After discussing the fact that we owned our own home, we decided that it didn't make sense for me financially to pay rent to live somewhere other than our house.  Being Christians, we decided that it was too tempting to live together in a way that is not pleasing to God, so we made a decision after Christmas that year to go to the Santa Ana Courthouse on December 26th, 1997 and get married!  Yes, we got married on a whim and felt proud that we had done what would be pleasing to God! 



Here we are after we were married in front of  the Santa Ana Courthouse on 12/26/97.  I can't believe that was 10 years ago!  It has been an amazing 10 years.  We have 3 beautiful, healthy, amazing children!  Our marriage is stronger than ever and I love him more than anything else in the world!  I feel truly blessed by what God has given me in my young life.  I honestly could not ask for more! 



This picture was taken at our "big" wedding on 7/11/98- yes, we celebrate both anniversaries, but 12/26 is the one we really hold dear because that is the day we dedicated our lives to one another. For better or for worse.  In sickness and Health.  For richer or for poorer.  As long as we both shall live, I will honor you and submit myself to you as Christ submitted himself to the church.  I love you JML - you are the love of my life and I am truly blessed to be your wife! 

Merry Christmas, Happy Anniversary and Happy New Year!