Remembering the past year

Conference time is always a special time for me.  Now though, it is one of the greatest times of the year.  It was a year ago last weekend that I met Shaila for the first time.  I will never forget our story and how I was interested in her sister Rachel at first.   To be honest I don't think Shaila will ever let me forget that either.  The thing is I really don't care how it happened but that it brought us together in the end.  Mike and I invited their apartment over for dinner between conference sessions on Sunday.  I am sure we grilled something, but I don't remember for sure.  I know though that afterwords Mike told me he thought I had someone interested in me, the rest is history for all four of us.

Looking  back on the last year spent with my best friend I have many memories.  Most of which are so sacred and special they will stay between the two of us, however here are the highlights as I remember them.

1. Our first date, UP THE CANYON.
2. Carving a pumpkin with the Browning symbol.
3. Dressing up for halloween but not wanting to let anyone know that we liked each other so we didn't 'go together', but still spent all our time together at the party.
4. Talking/Texting the week we were apart around Christmas.
5. Her mom telling me that I should just come out to VA, and thanking me for how happy I made her daughter.
6. Meeting her family for the first time.  They are so great and I love them so much.  I couldn't have asked for a better set of in-laws.
7. Taking a girl home for Christmas and my mom 100% sure we would be married.  She was right, as always.
8.  Calling my Mom and telling her I had a fiance, her heart didn't stop but I know it skipped a beat or two.
9. Proposing and getting my words mixed up.
10.  Giving Shaila the best birthday she has ever had!
11.  Buying a ring, what an adventure trying to do that when Shaila wanted to be surprised.
12.  Looking for an impossible apartment, and finding the perfect place for us after having a complete breakdown.
13. Being married, and sealed to my best friend in the whole world.  Sorry Brandon, but I finally know why we never hung out after you met your wife.
14. Our Cruise and me not wanting to swim in the Ocean.
15.  Meeting the rest of her family and seeing mine on our trip to GA this summer.

I cannot wait to see what else life has in store for us, but I know that with Shaila by my side we will get through any challenges that come our way, and we will have a LOT of joy along the way.