09.13.00

Eight years ago today, by the lake at Nelson Park in Abilene, 

Kevan and I decided we were "official". 

We had gone on our first date about a month before, and spent every moment we could with each other from then on. We were serious about each other, but situations caused us to be hesitant to call each other girlfriend or boyfriend. Situations like...Kev being a junior in high school and me being a freshman at ACU. 

 We were so very happy. But I had received comments and advice from several telling me to "enjoy my freshman year" and " make the most of Welcome Week" and "don't date high school boys". Kevan also did not want me to miss out on anything, so we both decided in August that we wouldn't jump into anything just yet. But as much as we wanted to believe that was best, we both just wanted to be together. I tried to make the most of Welcome Week, but ended up, well, hating it. I was even asked out a couple of times, but I turned them down because I already felt a commitment to Kev.  I couldn't explain it to anyone...especially those urging me to stick to college and, you know, college boys. 

So, on September 13th, a good 3 weeks into "making the most" of my freshman experience, I decided that being with Kevan was what I wanted to do, and I told him that night by the lake. I was essentially following the advice I had been given...having Kevan in my life made my freshman year enjoyable, memorable, and fulfilling. I couldn't pass on the opportunity to date him. We both sensed even then that we were going to get married, so a relationship that seemed unconventional to some, made perfect sense to us.

Kev, I'm so glad we followed our hearts eight years ago and went for it. I can't imagine going through college, marriage, parenthood, or any other step in my life without you. You are my rock and have been since the beginning. I've loved having you by my side for the past almost decade of my life. And I love you. A lot. Like, a lot.