Has it been 3 years already?

It's hard to believe that 3 years ago today, we were celebrating our wedding with our nearest and dearest family and friends. My scanner wasn't cooperating with me today, as I was trying to scan the good pictures from the photographer to post, but this one will have to do! You get the idea.

This will actually be the first anniversary we'll be celebrating together. Our first anniversary we did not celebrate, due to my Noni passing away 2 days prior and Brad flying on his own to Italy for his mom's wedding. Our second anniversary, Brad was out of the country and I was in California for work. This year, Brad is actually on his way back from a 2 week trip in Croatia and Holland for work. Luckily, he will be home at some point early this evening!

I am happy to say that after 3 years, I have finally placed the order for our wedding album (well am in the process of finalizing the details!). Because we didn't order it immediately following the wedding, it has been one of those things that was placed on the back burner. But, I think it is about time and well worth the price tag!

We have been married for 3 years, but together for 8 years. Yes, it was a very long 5 year courtship that carried through to 3 different countries!

Our story:
Back in early May of 1999, Brad and several of his friends came up to visit my college roommate, Jill (who was Brad's new sister-in-laws sister) at Towson University outside of Baltimore, MD. They were all headed to the big Preakness horse races, and unfortunately, I had a babysitting commitment, so I didn't end up meeting him until after he had been drinking for 9 hours. He made quite an impression to say the least! We all then headed out on that Saturday night and that was when Brad started making his moves! The next day, he officially asked me out on a date for the following Thursday, which was on May 22 (coincidentally, our dog's birthday). We had a great time, but neither one of us was looking to get into a serious relationship.
Brad had just finished his year long training program with Maersk and they were sending him to the Richmond, VA office for a permanent placement. As Richmond is only about a 2 1/2 hour car ride from Towson, we did the long distance commute for about 6 months, until Maersk decided to completely inconvenience us and move the HQ down to Charlotte, NC. This would now make our long distance commute an 8 hour drive or a very expensive plane ride, which was not an option for a college girl like myself. Brad drove up to Towson from Richmond one night to tell me the news, all along thinking we would break up. When we saw each other, we both changed our minds and thought we would give it a shot and see what happens.
For almost 2 years, we did the commute a few times a month and it was extremely difficult as you can imagine. As I was in college and had Friday's off (and no money for a plane ticket), I would often road trip it down to Charlotte in my Honda Accord. I never listened to so many books on tape before, but they really are a god send for long trips by yourself. I think the worst trip to Charlotte was when I just had entered the Washington DC beltway (with another 6 1/2 hours to go) and my radio died. Now that was the LONGEST car trip of my life.
Upon my graduation, in May of 2001 and after Brad had tried to get relocated with his company up to the Baltimore area and was unsuccesfull, I decided to move down to Charlotte if I was able to find a job. Little did I know, the Charlotte Mecklenburg school system is always in dyer need for teachers (later discovering because they are so disfunctional), so I had a signed contract in hand before I even graduated.
After spending a year in Charlotte and experiencing one of the most difficult and trying times I have yet to experience in my adult life with my teaching job, when Brad suggested moving to Copenhagen, Denmark with his company, I considered it. Since I hated (an understatement) teaching and was not tied to a job, I thought this could be a once in a lifetime experience and what have I got to lose? The worst that could happen is I didn't like it and I could move back to the states. It seemed like a win / win situation. I knew we were both committed to one another and would eventually be getting married, so I was on board for the journey.
It was 1 1/2 years later (still living in CPH) when Brad proposed to me on a ski trip in the French Alps in about 3 feet of snow.
I was reflecting back on all of the life experiences we have shared together and what priceless memories we've made and I feel truly blessed. There is nothing like waking up every morning, even after 8 years and discovering you love the person next to you more and more every day!