7 Years! =D

Yesterday was our seventh wedding anniversary. I can't believe it. It's gone by so fast. Some of the years have been so hard on us, but have brought us that much closer. A few times Johnny has mentioned what a better life I could have had with someone else. And last night I told him that I'd rather be with him in this odd little apartment than be married to the most handsome well-to-do man and have a lovely house and 4 perfect children and a jolly golden retriever named Barkley. I'd rather be counting pennies and killing water bugs here with him and Miles and I'm much happier doing that than I would be in society's "ideal" family. That pretty perfect picture doesn't have the substance and depth that we've found in all that sludge we've fought through together. Him collapsing in the doorway after days working at Deseret Industries, being treated like dirt and cleaning up vomit at Bridge Technologies, 12 hour days without lunches or vacations at DHL... My gum surgeries and shoulder surgeries and medical bills...
The Christmas Eve we had while he worked for DHL, he would be working very late. So, I donned my strawberry shortcake winter hat (which looks like a giant strawberry on my head =D ) and one of his DHL coats and I went with him. It bent the rules, but I still don't care a bit. We delivered packages all over Spanish Fork, quietly leaving them on doorsteps as it grew late. It was very cold and snowy and icy. Our noses were red and we both were hungry and needed bathroom facilities. hahaha We finally finished, took the truck back to American Fork and picked up our car, arriving home around 11:30 or midnight, laughing and jolly and racing each other to the bathroom. xD It was an awesome Christmas Eve. =)
Yesterday, John had everything planned. We got dressed for the outdoors and he had a picnic lunch ready for us. He took me to a hiking trail that he'd gone running on during Physical Training with other soldiers. He told me that the place he wanted to take me was a mile and half into the trail. -.- (That's my unthrilled face, well my annoyed eyes and nose. xD ) But, I was good-natured about it and we hiked together and talked and talked. We crossed a little bridge that went over a little river and headed uphill. We came to a big, long, winding covered bridge. "This is it," he said, trying to contain his excitement. He knows me so well. =D We ate our lunch in the middle of the bridge and talked and then headed back to our car. We saw a cicada up close and some AWESOME lizards. I was a giant lump of sweaty Christine once we got to the car, my face all red and my clothes all damp and saggy. xD After changing and cooling off we went grocery shopping and then had Taco Bell for dinner - those tacos and burritos have nourished us inexpensively since we started dating. =) We stayed up late laughing and crying over our memories of the years. And we hugged tight and let each other know we'd do it all over again and how much we love each other. And playfully argued about how much we don't deserve the other and then agreeing to disagree with a kiss.
What an unexpected adventure these 7 years have been. Johnny-boy... you are my dream when I am awake. Love you.