Happy 25th Anniversary Honey!

Okay, So I hijacked my wife's blog to post this. I hope she will appreciate it and not be embarrassed by it. Either way she's bound to know that I love her. Sorry no fancy borders, or cute little pictures of me when I used to have hair because I just don't know how to do such things. To all of our friends and our kids friends I hope as you read this you will smile at the memories that involve you. Enjoy!

May 9, 2011
Dear Julie,

I have been thinking about writing this to you for some time now. I have waited because I wanted the timing to be right. Writing for me is an emotional thing. I have to be in the proper frame of mind to truly articulate the thoughts of my heart. Today feels like that day. Here lately, actually on May 2nd, we have passed a milestone in our marriage, twenty five years together. We both know that we have been together longer than that, but officially as husband and wife we celebrate twenty five incredible years. It seems to me that every memory I have is filled with you. I feel lucky when I think that I have been with you longer than I was without you in my life. I mean we started dating on December 3rd, 1982, that is 28 ½ years ago. I can still remember borrowing Dave’s truck to take you out on our first date, and I still smile when I think about spilling gas on my shoes.

I remember sending you on that treasure hunt to ask you on our first date. I remember how instrumental carrots were in our first kiss. I remember the excitement, the butterflies in my stomach when we first kissed and I am glad to say that I still feel that way every time we kiss even now. I remember saying good bye to you at the MTC, and how much I looked forward to our clandestine meetings at the fence while I was there. I remember talking to you on tape while I looked at the moon and the southern cross in the skies of Uruguay, hoping you’d still be there when I got home. I remember sweating like crazy in the cramped phone booth at Christmas time when I got to call you from the mission field. I remember butter nut balls!

I remember how gorgeous you were when I stepped off that plane in Portland. I remember you living at the Rader’s so that we could be close. I remember wanting to ask you to marry me for so long, but having to wait until I could afford the ring. I remember a box of chocolates with a ring inside. I remember a beautiful sunshiny day in Oakland when we were married and my life became complete.

I remember Tahoe, no heater, and meatloaf. I remember highway 101, the ferry out of Seattle, and the World’s Fair. I remember the Cunningham’s basement apartment, watching MASH after the news, and a quiet candlelight dinner on our first anniversary. I remember dinner every weekend with Julie and Cory, master mo, Knot’s Landing, popcorn and lemonade, doing laundry at WyMount and big beak. I remember road trips to California with a loaded down Honda Civic. I remember campouts at Cory’s parents cabin along the Ogden river.

I remember long talks on the phone while you worked at WordPerfect. I remember a cute little red headed daughter crying out so strongly for her first breath. I remember you never looked more beautiful than at that moment. I remember Robert and Tish. I remember our Maxima. I remember calling out C A S S I D Y for my little girl to come running. I remember that little girl getting her groove on to the theme of a “Different World”. I remember you crying as you dropped off Cassidy at the babysitters.

I remember a cute little fuzz ball of a hairdo as Sammie came into our lives. I remember hurting so badly as I watched her in the newborn ICU. I remember a trip to Island Park with my girls but without you. I remember you eating seafood in Boston while I stayed home and babysat. I remember our move to Folsom. I remember finding our friends Dana and Ward. I remember tomato worms and a barbeque. I remember flipping my burgers. I remember Sammie bumping her head really hard and the race to the hospital. I remember you going to Japan. I remember the miraculous phone call after my break down and our prayer. I remember Cass and Sam in the plastic pool. I remember how cute they were at Easter. I remember legs up, red hair hair flying and a big bird big wheel zooming down the hill. I remember doing roofs by myself as we tried to make a go of things. I remember how hard it was to talk with a grin as big as mine when I called my Dad to tell him we had a little boy. I remember the coat and the sponge incident. I remember listening the Giants games on KNBR. I remember Sunday dinners at Rod and Sheri’s. I remember how hard it was to leave Folsom.

I remember our condo on Bengal Blvd. I remember receiving my barbeque for Father’s Day. I remember Cassidy checking the trash to see where we had been that day without her. I remember how well things went that first year with IDRS. I remember a really great Christmas and lots of snow. I remember trip after trip to the Oregon Coast, little beach, best friends, and fireworks.

I remember our house in Sandy and how happy we were to have a place of our own. I remember the smilingest little boy we could ever imagine. I remember Hassle boys running back and forth. I remember a hole in the tramp, a bee sting on the lip, Bailey, children’s prayers helping them open the door, and a chocolate lab for Christmas. I remember baseball games in the backyard, leaves by the bag full, a split lip for Boo, and fires in the pit I dug by the garden. I remember little boys following behind me as I mowed the yard pushing their plastic mowers. I remember taking down a bees nest from the eaves and how funny I looked. I remember 9/11. I remember drives through the mountains in the fall, and how special our home felt all the time. I remember plums from our tree. I remember how the snow hung on the limbs of the trees and how quiet the world seemed after it would snow. I remember walks with Satchel and bike rides on Sundays on the trail in Draper. I remember how much the boys (and sometimes the girls) loved riding in the back of the truck on the way home from church.

I remember a little surprise we named Quinn, thank the Lord for surprises. I remember a yellow bedroom for Cass. I remember walking on the roof on Christmas eve. I remember more long talks on the phone while I was at Paramount. I remember the emotion of realizing that my youngest was graduating from pre-school. I remember Denise’s pre-school for our boys and the Hassle’s. I remember trips to Gilbert in the Spring. I remember Lauren and Cassidy. I remember the decision to come into this business. I remember the decision to leave Mony and then the decision to leave Doug Andrew. I remember the talks we gave when we left our Ward in Sandy and all the things that I had learned there. I remember the day we left for Idaho and all the tears that only began on that day.

I remember more long talks on the phone while I traveled to Idaho Falls. I remember Hawaii with the girls, and Cassidy’s texting. I remember the little farm house and the boys helping with harvest. I remember the cousins coming to visit and the huge hay bales they played on. I remember long drives to take the kids to school. I remember hearing Cassidy cry almost every night. I remember Sheri and her kids coming to stay with us. I remember building this house and what a dream come true that was. I remember an awesome Christmas, the best one yet. I remember coaching football, watching our boys play ball, teaching Cassidy how to drive a stick and helping her buy her first car. I remember Samantha not being in too much of a hurry to drive. I remember the Rick’s boys knowing a good thing when they saw it, or should I say when they saw them. I remember Bryson asking Sammie to the dance. I remember the day Bryson died. I remember long walks on a winter’s night with Satchel. I remember pulling the boys around on sleds behind the four wheeler. I remember our garden, the sunflowers, pumpkins and tomatoes. I remember fires at the fire pit. I remember the day Cassidy got married and the day Samantha left for school, how proud I was and yet how sad I became without my girls around. I remember how happy I was every time I drove up to this house. I remember how I felt every time the moon would rise above the foothills behind our home. I remember how we have always been better when we spend a lot of time together than when we don't.

There are some things that I don’t have to remember however. For example I don’t have to remember how beautiful you are, because I am reminded every day...you are just as beautiful today as you have ever been and probably more so. I don’t have to remember how much I love you for it would do me no good because I love you more each day. I don’t have to remember what I wonderful mother you are because you have always shown us…it is a part of who you are. I don't have to remember how blessed we are to have five fantastic, wonderful children because I count those blessings every day. Julie, our memories are more rich and vivid because you were a part of them. Without you none of them would have any meaning. You and I are one. We are and always have been best friends. I wanted you by my side the moment we met and I intend to do all I can to earn your love each and every day. You are one of the noble and great ones and I will treasure you always, for eternity. I love you sweetheart. Thanks for 25 wonderful amazing years.

With Love,

Your Husband, Larry