9 years...!

9 years ago today, Bech and I went on our first date!

I had actually met him almost two weeks before.  He came to Millsaps Christian Fellowship (basically RUF, but Millsaps doesn't allow RUF).  He had dropped out of Ole Miss and was back home for a year.  He had worked at Timberlake, a summer camp, with two of my MCF friends and they invited him to come.  I was the greeter.  I thought he was cute, with his v neck white shirt, chacos, and beard.  

We saw each other two more times at MCF events.  In fact, at one, we got in a friend argument about gender roles in dating (I was such a know it all).  And then on a Sunday afternoon, he called and asked me out to lunch the next day.

One of our first pictures.  I know I look like a hot mess, but I've always loved this pictures of us.  Bech came down to help with the annual Braden family tree decorating night. Christmas 2004

We went to Kiefer's downtown, and he barely touched his food because of nerves.  

It took a while until we were official (maybe two months), but he was pretty crazy about me from the beginning (he would agree).  I wasn't so sure, which was weird for me.  I dated a lot in high school and in my freshman year, and I usually was pretty crazy about my current boyfriends from the get go.  But Bech was an enigma to me.  He wasn't the type of guy I always planned on falling for, but I liked him a lot.

Spring break 2005.  We had been dating for 6 months and we took Ansley down to Florida to see my grandparents.  

AKA the birth of TEAM CIVIC

Actually when he asked me to be his girlfriend on a Thursday night, I was prepared to tell him no, that I needed more time.  But if you have ever met my husband, you know that he is super wordy.  So he never stopped talking long enough for me to tell him this.  When he finally was quiet, after seriously 3 hours, all I could say was yes!

That weekend we went up to Ole Miss with some people.  I was spending the night with a friend, and ended up wanting to spend that Saturday with Bech instead.  That's when I realized I was crazy about him too (and glad I had kind of said yes on Thursday night)!

At my friend and roommates debutante ball on the coast, Christmas 2004

From then on, we were pretty inseparable.  When Bech decided to go back to Ole Miss the next fall, I transferred there.  I definitely missed Millsaps and often I wish that I could have graduated from there.  But at the end of the day, I didn't (and still don't!) want to risk our relationship.

On our two year anniversary (so 7 years ago), Bech proposed to me, and we were married a year and 2 days later.

Since then we've lived in Oxford, Malawi, Jackson, Vermont, Baton Rouge, and now Pennsylvania.  We have laughed and cried and fought and made up.  We have had so many adventures together, and I love having him as my partner in life and my co parent.  He's pretty incredible.

That same spring break trip, at Disney World.

Happy Anniversary, Bech.  I wouldn't want to dance in the minefields with anyone else!

"So when I lose my way, find me
When I loose love's chains, bind me
At the end of all my faith, till the end of all my days
When I forget my name, remind me

'Cause we bear the light of the Son of Man
So there's nothing left to fear
So I'll walk with you in the shadowlands
Till the shadows disappear

'Cause he promised not to leave us
And his promises are true
So in the face of all this chaos, baby,
I can dance with you."