Love is strong 15 years and counting!

Today I am joining the fabulous Fawn Weaver from The Happy Wives Club along with 1,000 other bloggers and sharing why I love my husband. But before I start talking about my husband and I, I would like to introduce you to Fawn. I met her in Fall 2012 at Bloggy Boot Camp {BBC} in Las Vegas, we were both attending a blogging conference from SITS Girls and after learning from fabulous speakers at BBC we had the opportunity of talk more at dinner. Suzanne from the Wineabe, Fawn and I enjoyed dinner and good ol' conversation regarding her blog and her movement to support and celebrate our spouse's.  

Fawn shared how she met her husband and how much she loves him, it was really sweet and romantic and at the same time it was inspiring to find someone in this day and age that fully understands and feels the same way I feel about love. 

Before I met my husband I day dreamed secretly about meeting that special man, secretly because I always said I would not get married. In fact I had a bet with one of my friends that I wouldn't, of course I still owe her money because the moment I met my husband I forgot it all! 

I am the eternal romantic and wanted a relationship based on love, honesty and respect. I dreamed of being married one day, having a family of my own. In January 1999 tired of meeting men that did not fit the mold, I resolved I wasn't going to search for that special man, instead I would wait for him. I prayed and let God choose for me and life take its course. Mid February came and a mutual friend asked if he could share my e-mail with a friend of his that had just opened an email account, I agreed {although I was afraid after all I hadn't met him}. 3 months of emailing back and forth after we finally spoke on the phone and that same evening finally met. 

A month later we were dating, I fell deeply and madly in love with a man that was a true gentleman. He would always open the door for me, pulled the chair back so that I would sit down, bring me flowers, surprise me with mementos, he always respected me and before he began dating he introduced me to his parents and sisters. A true family man that was proud of his family and spoke highly of everyone he's met. 

How could I not fall head over heels for him? He was everything and more! Best of all? he shared the same Faith as my family and I and even would go to Mass with me on Sundays. This year will be our 15th anniversary of being together, I can honestly say that I love him more each day. My love, respect and admiration for him grows each and every day. He is my rock, he has always supported me and uplifted me. It hasn't all been peaches in cream in our marriage, we've encountered struggles both in our health and finances but I wouldn't want to share this road with anyone else. 

It's funny because since our move to Costa Rica our bond has grown stronger, we've encountered several obstacles along our road in 2013 but I love that he can make me laugh about it all and is always so positive. In 2012 when I began my weight loss journey he was my number 1 supporter, cheering me on and he still does. 

This video goes along with why I love my husband, I hope you enjoy it. 

Oh and honey, I love you more today, more tomorrow. Ever thine, ever mine, ever ours!

Hope you join this movement and let your spouse know why you love him, what makes your marriage a happy one and keep the sparkle alive. 

Our First Date

I am linking up with Chronically Distracted and their Happiness Project. They have a different theme each month and for this month the theme is "Love & Marriage". Make sure you visit their site and read through all "The first date with the love of you life" links. :)

I would love to share with you the story of our first date. First things first. Adventure Dad and I met in 1999, while I was still in school {University to be exact} a mutual friend asked me for my e-mail so he could share it with Adventure Dad since he was new to the Internet and didn't know anyone to e-mail back and forth {yeah right, he worked and could e-mail companies and customers ;) } so our mutual friend gave Adventure Dad my e-mail address, as my friend "A" asked 20 questions {where did he work, where did he live, what car he drove, etc. basically looking out for me} so 2 days after this I received my first e-mail saying hello. 

For three whole months we e-mailed back and forth starting with one e-mail every couple of days and after those three months we were e-mailing each other at least eight times a day! We never saw each other and never talked on the phone it was pure e-mail {thus one of my all time favorite movies being "You've Got Mail"} we were always ourselves, never pretended and were always honest with each other. After those three months another friend "S" called me on a Sunday morning and asked if Adventure Dad could have my phone number and call me that day? Of course I said, we talked on the phone several times that day and in every phone call he asked me the same question: "What are your plans for later today?" and I always responded the same: "unpack my luggage and re-pack it again" {I was about to leave on a very special trip with my sister and cousin, but for the record I was already packed!}.

Well Adventure Dad assumed I was too busy to go out and finally after our about fifth call he said: "what if we go out?" and of course I said: YES! {Gee! he finally got the message! duh! ;) } So that evening which I believe was March 25th 1999, Adventure Dad and I went out on our first date and we finally met in person. He picked me up at my home {I was raised very traditional and still lived with my parents}, opened the car door for me and closed it {a true gentleman just as I'd always dreamed of!} and we went out to a local restaurant had some appetizers and just talked. I loved his smile and for me it was love at first e-mail as well as for him. :)

He was all I dreamed of my whole life! a gentleman, caring, respectful, always proper. On our way to the restaurant we had to walk a bit and just so you know no one not even "S" knew we were going out that evening, he accidentally drove by us and because Adventure dad is much taller than I; he didn't see me and as he waved good bye to Adventure Dad and was driving off he saw me and slammed on the breaks only to roll down his window and say: "Maaaribel!" with such a surprised expression. 

Being raised traditional I was called "Cinderella" because my curfew was always midnight and I always respected it. So our evening ended with me being dropped off at home and him driving away still friends. A few weeks later it was mid April and I had returned from my trip, it was soon to be my parents 25th wedding anniversary and they were to renew their vows with a big party so when Adventure Dad called during the week to say hello and continuing our e-mails I invited him to the party. Every single guest knew who Adventure Dad was! when someone was near him they would point and ask if that was "him" and I would smile and say: YES! excitedly. Two weeks later we were officially dating, but that's a whole other story.

A little over two years later in June 2001 we got married, I can honestly say that my love for him has grown even more, yes married life is not always peaches and cream but with love and respect all is possible and overcoming daily challenges makes it stronger. I still get butterflies when I see him or hear his voice. Yes I am the eternal romantic and yes I married my prince charming. :)