Happy Anniversary

Today's the big day. Seven years ago today Kevin and I walked through the temple doors and came out eternally joined. And so far it's been "happily ever after." Don't get me wrong, we've had our share of trials and hard times. But I guess we've been blessed in the fact that none of those trials have ever put a strain on our relationship. We look at each other at least once a week and think, "How did we get so lucky?" We really do. How grateful I am that opposites really do attract. How grateful I am for a wonderful husband who is so good to me, puts up with all of my faults, and loves me in spite of them. And the love that I feel for him surpasses all expectations when I see what a wonderful daddy he is. Happy Anniversary, babe. I love you.

And now, for some fun facts about us. Some you may know, some you may not.

1. We met 8 1/2 years ago in a dark alley.
2. That dark alley just happened to be between two buildings up at Utah State University.
3. The meeting was brief
4. So Ruth wondered why some guy named "Kevin Turner" started calling her.
5. Ruth's roommate wondered, too.
6. Because Ruth's roommate had the hots for him.
7. Kevin finally tracked Ruth down at work and asked her out.
8. Our first date was snowshoeing.
9. At night.
10. Ruth wore jeans.
11. Kevin still wonders why
12. (She didn't have any snowpants.)
13. When asked about the date when she got home, Ruth said, "It was fine. We probably won't go out again."
14. When asked about the date afterwards, Kevin said, "She was nice. But I probably won't ask her out again."
15. But higher powers had something else in mind.
16. The second date was to a hockey game, where Ruth flirted madly with Kevin.
17. (according to Kevin.)
18. Ruth won't deny the claims, but may have been spurred on by her roommate's interest in him.
19. Ruth held Kevin's hand first.
20. Ruth was Kevin's first kiss, but he initiated that one.
21. It only took him 2 months to get up the nerve.
22. It was nice, but they broke up a week later.
23. That was the first of several (as in a dozen) break-ups.
24. None of them for good reasons
25. Aside from the fact that was Ruth was 18 and didn't want to get married
26. and Kevin just didn't want to get married period.
27. He was still holding out hope that young men could go on TWO missions! :)
28. Eight months into the courtship, Kevin tried to break-up with Ruth again.
29. This time Ruth said, "Nope. Not going to happen."
30. And it didn't.
31. From that point on, there was no going back.
32. Ruth worked at A&W
33. Kevin would come to visit her every night.
34. He would even give her a hug, even though she smelled like grease.
35. Now that's true love.
36. We once drove to City of the Rocks in the middle of the night with some friends.
37. We slept in the car
    
38. and woke the next morning with no change of clothes and no toothbrush.
39. What were we thinking?
    
40. We were engaged exactly twelve months from our first date.
41. We went snowshoeing again.
42. This time Ruth wore snowpants.
    
43. But this time Kevin brought about a dozen people along.
44. Luckily, none of them were around when he got down on one knee.
45. (Ruth's not a fan of public engagements.)
46. Ruth said yes.
47. And the madness began!
48. We got married in the Salt Lake Temple.
49. Even though we both really wanted the Logan Temple.
50. (long story)
51. But now we're glad we chose the Salt Lake Temple.
52. Our first apartment was in Logan.
53. It had cinderblock walls.
54. But we loved it.
55. We went to school and worked close to campus.
56. We walked everywhere, even though we had a car.
57. Pre-kids days, we used to walk for miles.
58. For fun.
59. No wonder we were skinny.
60. Before marriage, Ruth rarely ate cheese, potato chips, or popcorn.
61. These are staples in Kevin's diet.
62. He eats them every night.
63. So of course, Ruth partakes as well.
64. No wonder she's not skinny anymore.
65. Ruth's big weakness is candy.
    
66. Chewy, sticky, bad-for-your-teeth candy.
67. Kevin's a hamburger kind of guy.
68. Ruth...not so much.
69. He loves The Training Table.
70. She loves The Olive Garden.
71. So we go to both.
72. He loves volleyball.
73. She loves soccer.
74. We both need to play more often.
75. He also loves golf.
76. But he makes sure that he plays that on a regular basis.
77. But she doesn't care because it makes him happy.
78. And he lets her do whatever she wants.
79. Kevin's very kind and generous and would give away his last meal if someone needed it.
80. He's a good influence on Ruth.
81. Kevin tends to stress.
82. Ruth doesn't.
83. But luckily, when she does, Kevin's not stressed.
84. We make a good team.
85. We'd been married three years when we had Kyle.
86. Hopefully we'll add lots more babies in the future.
87. Because parenthood is love on a whole new level.
88. Kevin and Kyle share a very special bond.
89. Ruth used to be just a little bit jealous.
90. But not anymore
91. Because she realizes how lucky Kyle is to have that with his daddy.
    
92. Life has taken us on some unexpected turns.
93. We never thought we'd end up at the University of Utah.
94. But we did.
95. We never considered the military.
96. But we joined.
97. And we're happy.
98. I think we'll always be happy.
99. Because we have our faith.
100. And we have each other.