Love, Love Me Do!

I love my husband. Like, a whole lot. Yesterday was his birthday. He turned 29. His parents treated us to a Grizzlies game, and a dinner on Beale Street before the game. His dad was able to get suite tickets. It was so fun, and Brian enjoyed it so much. Preston was also very generous to his daddy. He wanted to get him something they could enjoy together, so he got the whole family a Memphis Zoo membership! A dinosaur exhibit is coming this Spring and Summer, and since P is obsessed with dinos, he really wanted to make sure we went as much as possible. Daddy (Brian) was really excited. Here's to your last birthday in the 20's, dear!

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, I thought I would take a little trip down memory lane. My friends are doing this cute little questionnaire, so I thought I would participate too. Might be kind of corny, but whatever! I didn't do all the questions, because some where a little TOO ridiculous, so I picked a few.


1. How long have you and your significant other been together?
A little over 8 years total, which feels like a long time, but really it has flown by.


2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}
We met in high school. I was a junior and he was a senior. We kind of liked each other, but he was headed off to UGA and I had another year of school. We went to a dance together, and enjoyed a nice friendship, but that was about it. After he left for school, I didn't see him or hear from him until I was a freshman in college. I randomly ran into him in Florida, then in Knoxville, and then in Memphis within the span of about a year. Brian's best friend Robert became my good friend in college. I mentioned to him that I always thought Brian was cute, and Robert kind of helped set us up while we were both home from college for Christmas break in 2003. We went on our first date, and literally, on our first date, we knew this was it. In fact, I remember telling each other on our first date, that this was the best date we had ever been on. We dated long distance with me in Knoxville and Brian in Athens for two years, then another year of me in Knoxville and Brian in Memphis. Then, I moved back home to Memphis after I graduated, we got engaged and the rest is history!

Bama/Georgia game 2008

Bahama cruise 2006

Georgia/Tennessee Game Day 2005

Formal 2005

Graduation weekend at Sassy Ann's in Knoxville 2006

On the beach at night in Charleston, SC 2007

3. If married, how long have you been married?
Three and a half years. June 28 will be our fourth anniversary.


4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding? 
We got married at St. Mary's Catholic Church in downtown Memphis. We had a full Mass, much to the dismay of lots of our friends ;) There were around 250 people there. The reception was at Central Station. There are so many things I could say about our wedding, but the #1 thing is thank goodness for my mom, who is extremely detail-oriented and has fabulous taste! It was the perfect day.

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another?
I'm not really a nickname person, so I don't really have for Brian other than "B" which I call him a lot. Brian has about 1,000 nicknames for me. Some of them are Carmelki, Carmello, and Cams. 


6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.
1. His loyalty
2. Sense of humor
3. His ability to not sweat the small stuff


7. Tell us how he proposed?
It was a random Friday after work (August 3, 2007), and I walked in the front door of his house. There were flowers and I saw our dog, Brother, run up to me. He was wearing a shirt that said "Will you marry me?" Of course I laughed and yelled "No way!" which is not the best thing to yell before a proposal. Anyway, Brian came around the corner, got down on one knee, said a lot of really sweet things, and crying ensued. We went to my parents house immediately after, and they took a video of us and pictures. Then we went to dinner at Spindini. 

8. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant other one day.
Grow old together. That's probably really weird to say, but when we talk about "our dreams", it is truly to grow old together. We talk about how we want to have our house paid off, be able to take some serious trips, and if we're lucky, actually be able to retire at a decent age when we still have our health. I can't imagine ever REALLY retiring, because working makes me feel good, but maybe Brian can talk me into one day. :)


9. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love.
Marriage is never 50/50. Sometimes it's 60/40, 90/10, or 20/80. Sometimes Brian is the better spouse, and sometimes I am the better spouse. Being there for each other through the tough times, carrying the load for the other when it gets hard, is one of the best things a spouse can do. It is selflessness and sacrifice that makes marriage work, in my opinion.


10. Show us a picture of what love means to you. (There is no way I could only pick one!)

When we first saw each other on our wedding day

P was 1 week old. It had finally registered that we created this perfect little person, and we just couldn't get enough of our little family. Such a sweet time. Brian holding my hand in one and his son in the other. This picture means so much to me, and will always be one of my favorites. Even though, I still have a swollen, pregnancy face :)

I love you, Brian! Happy birthday, valentine!