I Thought I Loved You Then...

Dear JJ, 

When we were little kids, I had a monster crush on you. I looked up to you and hoped that one day I could be as cool as you. 

...and I thought I loved you then.

As we got older I loved all the random games we would play. Whether you were trying to crush my hands with pool balls, chasing all of us in the dark, or beating me up with a couch cushion, I always had the most fun when you were around. 

...and I thought I loved you then. 

When you finally realized I was more than just your annoying family friend, we had a blast at Bootleggers! You bought me a drink, made me laugh until I cried and I don't care what you say, YOU kissed me first. 

...and I thought I loved you then. 

I will never forget the night of my 23rd birthday. We were on the party bus, I was sitting in your lap and my feet were dangling in a trash can...you told me you were falling in love with me. 

...and I thought I loved you then. 

On our one year anniversary, you surprised me with the best gift I have ever received, our little puggle baby. 

...and I thought I loved you then. 

We moved in together, went on vacations and had more fun than any two people should be allowed to have. 

...and I thought I loved you then. 

We opened our own business and worked our asses off. While Coffee Buzz may not have been successful, you and I were. We overcame struggles and worked as a team, even when it wasn't easy. 

...and I thought I loved you then. 

You got down on one knee and took me by complete surprise when you asked me to be your wife in the most perfect way. 

 ...and I thought I loved you then. 

We stood up in front of our family, friends and God and vowed to love, honor, respect and cherish each other every day of our lives. 

 ...and I thought I loved you then. 

We spent our first week as husband and wife in paradise. I've never had so much fun and I think we would both agree it was the best week of our lives {so far}.

 ...and I thought I loved you then.

I saw two pink lines...and then a smiley face...and then the word 'pregnant'. When I was scared and nervous to start this new chapter in our lives way before we had planned, you said five words to me that I will never forget....
"Toot, this is our chance."

...and I thought I loved you then.

We saw our baby on the ultrasound screen in perfect health and heard the nurse say, "You're having a girl."

...and I thought I loved you then.

As we approach the five year anniversary of our first date, the one year anniversary of our wedding and the birth of our first baby I can say with absolute certainty that I never believed it was possible to love someone this much. 

You make every day better. 

 

You love me unconditionally and support me no matter what. You take care of me when I am sick. You make me laugh when I am sad. You make me strong when I am weak. 

God couldn't have blessed me with a better person to share my life with. We have amazing memories together and when I think back to how much fun we have had and how much I loved you then, I get so excited to see what is to come for us. We have so much to look forward to and so many new memories to make.

I cannot wait to watch you be a dad to our daughter.

You are my other half. My soul mate. My best friend.

I love you.