Jeremiah and I celebrated our 7th anniversary on the 3rd of this month. It seems surreal sometimes that we have been married that long. It's been a journey at times that seemed more work then fun; but through all the not so fun times and all the amazing happy times, I would still choose to have Jeremiah be the person who went on this crazy adventure with me. Cliche? Sure, but completely true.
We actually started dating in High School, if you can believe it? Yep, Jr year. Funny thing about how we met (and I will never forget this), my good friend at the time, Paul, told me that I should meet the new guy "he's pretty cool, plays soccer, kind of goofy- nice guy". I was game because I had seen him walking the halls and thought he was pretty darn HOT! Tall, slender built (a little too skinny- looking back), had these cute little ears that stuck out, dark eyes/hair, athletic and mysterious (later found out that was him being smug/cocky). That afternoon Paul and I walked over to Jeremiah's locker where he was taking out his books for his next class, Paul said something like "Hey Dude, wanted you to meet my friend Heidi (points at me); Heidi this is Jeremiah, Jeremiah this is Heidi". I smiled and said "Hey, nice to meet you". His response to the introduction was shocking. A I'mtoogoodforyou head nod. No, "Hey, nice too meet you too" or "Hi". Nope. Just a tilt of the head and a smug whatever look.
I was pissed. I thought to myself what a freaking jerk. Hated him! Avoided him at all costs....I was not about to inflate his ego by trying to be his friend.
It wasn't until he started pursuing my best friend did I talk to him again. And boy, was he even more annoying. He would constantly poke fun trying desperately to get under my skin. He was cocky and full of himself. Everything was a joke. He would lick the windows of my car and leave trash in the back seat; knowing full well that I took pride in my clean car. He had nicknames for me and constant jabs in his repertoire for my idiosyncrasies. I would find out later that he was secretly flirting with me. Loving how I reacted and the way that I could take and dish sarcasm.
We did have one thing in common (thank goodness). We were both Christians. Ultimately that is what sparked our relationship. We would attend a bible study together; carpooling and hanging out afterward. I started to madly fall head over heels for him and I knew he had some mad feeling for me as well. There was just two things standing in our way. We both had other relationships.
When we finally starting dating it felt so natural and easy. He was already my close friend so we fell into a rhythm with ease. Yes, we were young punks; a green 16 year old and a cocky 17 year old but I was dating my best friend, how could it get better? He always had me giggling and feeling like I was on top of the world. Never a dull moment in our courtship; always on the pursuit of a new adventure together. It wasn't long after our initial first date that we both knew we were in love.
Five years later Jeremiah proposed to me. There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. And now, seven years later we have two kids, a mortgage and a passionate relationship. Of course there were naysayers back then; scoffing at the 22 year olds taking the plunge. But we are proof it works. Proof that two punk kids can fall in love and create a beautiful life together.
And I wouldn't change a thing.
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