Today shoved in the back of a drawer I found my journal from high school. So. Embarrassing. I have to laugh at some of the things I wrote or else I would cry. It makes me truly thankful that God "...who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Because whew, I needed a lot of work (and still do)!
On July 11, 2002 I was writing about one of the many guys that captured my interest during my teenage years and I wrote, "I always wonder who I'm going to marry. I just can't wait to have that bond with a man. Just to know that they really do love me and will always be there for me and I can completely be myself around them."
Little did Mike know that as he was teaching at the University of Miami (after having graduated with a bachelor's degree, a master's, and recently left a very successful job as an architectural lighting designer in New York) that there was a very dramatic high school girl in the Midwest dreaming of him. He was laying the foundation of our future life together while I was still saying things like, "That guy is hecka hot!"
I am beyond grateful that he is such a hard worker. That he is dedicated. That he outshines any dreamy expectation I had of a husband when I was a teenager.
Recently Mike earned tenure! This is an incredibly big deal (or as high school Laura would say, "a hecka big deal")! He has been working toward this goal for years and I could not be more proud of him!
To celebrate, I attempted to plan a surprise date. My sweet friend Rowena was going to come over to watch Liam and when she showed up, I would explain the big surprise date. Things. Did. Not. Go. As. Planned. Mike will tell you a very different (and embellished) version of the story, but even though things didn't pan out the way I envisioned, we had a wonderful time!
Mike, I know I've said this before, but thank you for being more than I ever thought possible. I am SO proud of you...not just for your accomplishments, but for the man that you are. Thank you for really loving me, and always being there for me (and Liam, and Baby #2), and allowing me to truly be myself around you...even though at times that involves lots of drama. I love you!
