Happy 18th Anniversary Tracy!

I have been married for half my life!! It is hard to imagine that I have been married that long. Time flies when you are having fun. Tracy and I knew each other for several years. I was young and I didn't pay much attention to him. He always had a girlfriend and I didn't care for her--not that I cared that he even had one, I just thought she was ditzy. I remember going over to his house with Angie when I was young and (in true Tracy style) Tracy threw me down and tickled me and said "your so cute"--just like he does with many little "kids". I didn't pay much attention until he came home from his mission. When I first saw him, I thought, wow, he has changed and grown up, he looks so good. I was still very young though and so I didn't think I had a chance.

Angie and Tonya needed a date for Tracy one night and they set us up because they couldn't think of anyone else (I'm sure they thought nothing would come of it). That was the month before I turned 17. We were never apart for more than a few days--until he went off to college and he would make the trek home almost every weekend. I can't imagine what my parents were thinking when in February of my Senior year of high school, I came home with a ring. I guess you can't help when you fall in LOVE. We were married 4 days after my 18th birthday. Now we have been married for 18 years.

Here are 18 things I love about Tracy:

1. He is FUN to be with

2. He is a great handy-man--he can fix almost anything

3. He was very handsome when I first started dating him and I think he still is

4. He is an extremely hard worker

5. He has always been a great provider

6. He is a wonderful father

7. He is very kind and would do almost anything for anyone

8. He works harder than most men that I know

9. He loves his family (extended and immediate)

10. He loves little kids--especially cousins and nieces and nephews--and they love him

11. He honors his Priesthood

12. He loves me and he shows it

13. I have never heard him swear

14. He likes to play basketball

15. He acts like a kid (he is learning when that is appropriate)

16. He gave me 5 beautiful children

17. He is creative and inventive

18. He is the love of my life and my best friend

Getting married so young wouldn't work for everyone (getting married at any age only works out for half the people in this country). I am glad that I made that decision 18 years ago. I married my best friend. Thanks honey for being a wonderful husband, a terrific Father and a great provider. I love you always.