The day began like any other day- a little down and depressed because I was still single. Seriously! Would I EVER find the right guy? At 24 surely my expiration was rapidly approaching!
And then the whole Match.com thing happened. Long story short, there was
A Man.
We talked on the computer January 1. We talked on the phone, we met in person 5 days later, and 15 days after that, he asked, and I said “yes.” We decided on a summer wedding. Let the whirlwind begin.
Walt Disney World was running an ad in a bridal magazine with a picture of Cinderella’s glass slipper on the steps of the castle at sunset and said something about all my dreams coming true. We talked, and determined that we’d do a destination wedding at Disney World on June 11. Enter
A Mouse.
The weeks partly dragged and partly flew, and then it was time! We flew to Orlando, got our marriage license, and began our wonderful, magical time at Disney World. We spent the day before (6-10-08) with our families at Magic Kingdom, and then the glorious day arrived.
We dressed and were shuttled in a long white limo to the Boardwalk. A wonderful minister we had only met online and over the phone met with each of us and went over everything with us. Our fabulous coordinator had everything perfect. I walked down the Boardwalk on my Daddy’s arm, and he handed me over to my Prince Charming. We spoke our vows, the minister spoke- “You may now kiss your Princess,” and then life began.
A Marriage.
The past five years have been full of fabulous adventures- camping, canoeing, skiing, laying on beaches, scuba diving (and NOT scuba diving!), hiking, and lots of photography. We have experienced life and loss, and are learning how to be parents. It truly has been a fabulous ride, and I’m so glad it’s not over yet!! Because, you see, this story isn’t just about A Man and A Mouse.
It’s about A Marriage. It’s about a friendship and a love that grows stronger every day. It’s about knowing that no matter what happens, the other person will ALWAYS be there. There is no escape clause in this “roommate agreement.” We are here for the times of roaring laughter, and we are here for the times so sad that even singing “Soft Kitty” won’t create laughter. Thick and thin. No matter what.
“I, Christy, take you, Cody, as my friend and my love, beside me and apart from me, in laughter and in tears, in good times and bad, asking that you be no other than yourself. Loving what I know of you, trusting what I do not know, and in all the ways that life may lead us.”
Life is never perfect, but fairy tales DO come true. Happily ever after DOES exist. We are proof.
Summer 2008
Fall 2009
Winter 2010
Fall 2011
Summer 2012
Spring 2013
Tomorrow mornin’, if you wake up
And the sun does not appear
I, I will be here
If in the dark we lose sight of love
Hold my hand and have no fear
‘Cause I, I will be here
I will be here
When you feel like bein’ quiet
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen
And I will be here
When the laughter turns to cryin’
Through the winnin’, losin’ and tryin’
We’ll be together, ’cause I will be here
Tomorrow mornin’, if you wake up
And the future is unclear
I, I will be here
As sure as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for years
So I, I will be here
I will be here
And you can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we’re older
I will hold you
And I will be here
To watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things
You are to me, I will be here
I will be true
To the promise I have made
To you and to the One
Who gave you to me
I, I will be here
And just as sure as seasons
Are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for years
So I, I will be here
We’ll be together, I will be here
-“I will Be Here” by Michael W Smith-
HAPPY 5th ANNIVERSARY, BABY.
I LOVE YOU MORE TODAY THAN YESTERDAY,
AND MY LOVE WILL NEVER STOP MULTIPLYING.
Butterbees and Bumbleflies 