Favorite Day

Exactly 14 years from today marks my favorite day in the history of my life. 14 years ago I went on my very first date with the love of my life. However, the first-date itself is not exactly why it's my favorite day. Let's just say that it serves as a key reminder to me that God is in control, and His will shall reign over my suaveness...and lack there of. Let me set the stage...

It was a Friday evening and I was getting ready for the big night out. I had taken a shower, slapped on some expensive cologne (okay so it was a dab of English Leather), and styled my hair...which basically involved plastering it to my head with a whole bunch of gel. Having freshened up, it was time to get dressed, and knowing how important it was to impress this beautiful girl, I put on my best: My black jean-shorts, my black and white Pumas, and my best No Fear t-shirt (you know the one: "Give Blood...Play Hockey. No Fear!!!"). Don't I know how to impress the ladies?

Looking good and ready for some fun, I set out for the big date...just one catch. Me being a freshman in high school, and this being my first real date, my parents would only let me go if a friend came a long. So here enters Paul. Oh, and did I forget to mention that she had to pick us up since neither Paul or I could drive yet? No biggie.

Lizz picked us up at my house and we set off. We went to a movie (The River Wild), and in all honesty, the night went well. Nothing really eventful happened, but on the flip side.... nothing really eventful happened. As a matter of fact, I think I said a total of five words to her including "hi" and "goodnight." The fact that she went out with me again, let alone married me, is amazing in itself.

I often look back on that evening and realize that a lot of things could've happened after that date. But one thing that did happen, I fell in love...and after 14 years, I'm still falling. Every day of my life I thank God for His providence. I also thank Him for the precious gift that he has given to me in my wife; my bride; my best friend; my heart and my life. Though our first date wasn't eventful, our marriage sure has been. We've lived in a variety of places, met a ton of people, became parents to two beautiful children, and through it all we've loved one another. Never perfectly, not always easily, but by the grace of God, continually. And just like a good wine, it gets better with time. With that said...Salut!

Bella,
Il vostra amore è migliore del vino.