Nine Wonderful Years

*Click on the video below to play while reading this post. Ray LaMontagne is one of our new favorite artists and his song says exactly how I feel about my hubby :)

Nine years ago, my life changed for the better. It was the day that I married my best friend. I loved him so much then; little did I know that the love I was feeling then would grow exponentially over the next few years. I have watched Josh, over the past nine years that we've been married, grow into such a wonderful man. In honor of our anniversary, I thought I'd list nine reasons why I love my guy so much!

1. He loves me. Period. The end. It is so wonderful to know that I have someone who loves me despite all my many faults, quirks, and oddities. He loves me simply for being me and I don't have to pretend to be anything other than myself around him.

2. He loves our son. I watched Josh transform into a Daddy right before my very eyes, and it's been the best thing ever. Before Eli, Josh had never held a baby or even given a thought to being around little kids. That's completely over now. He and Eli have a special bond and it's heartwarming to see them together. I can't wait to witness all the special things he and Eli are going to do together over the coming years-t-ball games, golfing, camping, running, etc. They're going to be best buds :)

3. He's funny. Those of you that know my husband know how true this statement is. Josh can always lighten up a situation with his humor and it's what keeps us from arguing with each other. Just try to stay mad at someone that can make you crack up laughing...it's quite hard to do.

4. He is always himself. Josh is one of those rare guys that is the same person around the preacher as he is at home and as he is around the guys. He never puts up a front or tries to be someone he's not, and I love that about him.

5. He has so many admirable traits. He's honest, hard working, determined, dependable, trustworthy, and so much more. I hope our son grows up to be a man just like this.

6. He likes change. I'm a stuck-in-a-rut kind of person, so I guess it's good that I found someone who is completely opposite or my life would be utterly boring. I'm the girl that can eat the same thing everyday for lunch and not think a thing about it. Josh can't even drive home from work the same way, and it's not like there's a lot of other ways he can go considering how small of a town we live in! Change is good though, so I'm glad I found someone that can help me embrace change every now and again.

7. He loves to travel. Before we had Eli, we traveled a lot, but even now with him we are still very much on the go. We love to see new things, new people, new places. We love making memories and having experiences. In fact, we're both dying to go back to Crested Butte (where we were married) to ski with Eli. We'll get there sooner or later, I'm sure!

8. He loves music. I love that he can play the guitar, and I hope it's something Eli learns to do one day as well. I love that we enjoy listening to the same types of music. I love how relaxing it is sometimes that we turn the TV off and just have music playing in the house. I love that I can relax with him this way.

9. He strives to be a better man everyday. I love waking up and seeing Josh reading his Bible or devotional. I love knowing that his relationship with God is important to him. I love that he questions and doesn't accept something because someone says it's true. I love that he will search out answers for himself. I love that I feel challenged spiritually when I'm around him. I hope we can both continue to grow spiritually together.

Happy Anniversary, Josh! I love you more and more as the days pass. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you. I'm so glad God chose you for me!

I thought it would be fun to see how we've changed together over the past nine years. It's so much fun to look back and see all the wonderful things we've been able to do together. I'm looking forward to making more wonderful memories. I love you so much!!

Our first date with our friends, Jeremy and Stephanie.
We went to see the Christmas lights in Natchitoches, LA.

Setting up for a Union Board event at Louisiana College.
Josh was the director and I was one of the members.

Our engagement picture for Josh's town's newspaper

Our engagement picture for my town's newspaper
My all time, hands down, favorite picture of us.

Eloping in Crested Butte, CO.

Our Justice of the Peace reminded us both of Wyatt Earp

First out of the country trip to the British Virgin Islands with Josh's dad and brother.
We chartered a catamaran and sailed around the islands for five days.
It was UNBELIEVABLY FUN!

Gulf Shores with friends

Watching a football game at Independence Stadium

Skiing again in Crested Butte

Las Vegas trip

Crested Butte, 2008

Becoming parents for the first time :)
November 6, 2008

November 6, 2009
Eli turned 1!

Watching the Saints win the Super Bowl
February 2010

New York trip
March 2010

Central Park
March 2010

Easter 2010

Joshua's Wedding
July 2010

Our family of 3
July 2010

November 6, 2010
Eli turned 2!

Memphis Marathon
December 2010

Christmas 2010

The best is yet to come...