{9 **AMAZING** Years}

Nine years ago today, my life changed forever, it changed in the best way possible. On this day nine years ago, my husband Derek asked if I would date him :-) I still remember that moment like it was yesterday! :-)

.::Our Story::.

We've know each other since about 4th grade. I always had one of those little "crushes" on Derek ever since the first day I met him. We both played basketball for local tournament teams and often had practices before or after one another so we were always seeing each other. Derek's family also lived next to my grandparents while growing up so we would run into each other when we'd be riding bikes or playing outside.

We went on our first official "date" just before our high school Tolo dance where I got enough nerve (with some help from my dear friends) and asked him to go with me. I was STUNNED that he had said yes because Derek was seriously the SHYEST guy ever and was known for turning down girls that would ask him to dances in the past. I figured asking him and him saying yes was a shot in the dark but I took a chance. I'm still so glad that I took that little leap.

Shortly after all that in the same year on April 29th, 2003, we were Juniors in high school. I was just coming back from a local elementary school after having lunch with a 3rd grader....sort of like a "Big Buddy" type program. Derek and I had become close friends since Tolo and would always walk each other to class when we had the chance. That day, I was late to my 4th period class because of the Big Buddy lunch (thank goodness I was the Teacher's Assistant that period haha), as I was walking to it I noticed that Derek was standing just outside the parking lot waiting for me. I was a little surprised because he had math 4th period with a really strict teacher and he NEVER wanted to ever be late for that class. I could tell he was extremely nervous about something and as we started walking to my class, I asked him why he wasn't in class and out of no where he gives me a hand written note. The next thing he said was, "read it right now! :-)". I looked at him a bit puzzled since he's never asked me to read one of his notes in from of him before, so I opened it up and started reading.

I totally started smiling from ear to ear as I read his note. He was asking me out! At that moments I truly couldn't believe that it was happening. I will admit, I looked at him and started laughing a little because I asked him why he couldn't just verbally ask me. His exact words were, "I totally would've messed up!" haha! It was by far the most perfect moment to start an amazing life together!

I held onto that note and it was Derek's idea to have it on display at our wedding almost three years ago. It was such a great idea, everyone loved how it added that little extra touch to our wedding day. Here is the note displayed at our wedding...

Pictures by Cooper Studios

And here we are over the past nine years...I tried to find a picture from each year we've been together, but to save time to get this post up without me having to dig out my entire photo collection in my closet...I skipped a few years! LOL!

2004 - Senior Prom

2005

2006

2007

2008 - Engagement Picture

2009
this picture was taken on our actual anniversary.
we also got married this year.

2010 - right before Miss K was born. Her due date was actually April 29th, 2010 - our 7th dating anniversary :-)

2011

Photo take by Capture the Elegance, Nadina Khalil Photography

We haven't had a chance to take a picture for our anniversary today yet :-) We're having a lazy Sunday so we're all still in our pajamas haha! :-)

These past 9 years have been an absolute BLUR! But they've been the most amazing 9 years of my life. I'm truly one of the luckiest girls in the world to find a man like Derek. After 9 years, this man still makes my heart skip a beat when I see him. He's my best friend, inspires me to be a better person, is an amazing father and SO MUCH MORE!

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH DEREK! Really looking forward to the next 50 years! ;-)