We've come a long way, baby.

It's our anniversary!

Well, Sunday is our anniversary. Steve and I will be celebrating 12 years of wedded bliss.

OK, maybe nine years of wedded bliss and three omg hold on tight 'cause this is gonna' be a bumpy ride kind of years.

Or maybe seven years of wedded bliss, three omg hold on years, and two years of what did you say your name was again?

Add to that five years of dating plus engagement before we got married and that makes 17 years we've been together. That's pretty darn close to 20 years. Two decades! Eeek!

We have so many stories to tell already, I can't imagine what it'll be like in another 20 or 30 years when we (hopefully) have a few grandchildren running around. Steve is an amazing man, a great provider for his family, a loyal friend, a faithful husband. I knew I was in love with him when I was 16-going-on-17, but I couldn't have imagined what life would be like today. It hasn't always been sunshine and roses, but I do believe my life is better today than it would be if I didn't have Steve in it.

This man has been a part of so many important times in my life.

 He was there when I graduated high school.
(Don't we look like babies?)

 He was there when I graduated from college.

(Look! Three-wk-old Sammy made it, too!)

Countless holidays, decisions, celebrations, struggles, good times and bad. He has always been my strongest supporter and my biggest fan. He has been my rock, my constant, my shoulder to cry on, and the one who sets me straight when that's what I need the most. His laid back nature balances out my intensity. His love for life and people and doing the right thing inspires me to be a better person.

He makes me laugh.

I knew I loved Steve when I was what now seems so incredibly young, but I had no idea how much I would love him 17 years later.

Happy anniversary, babe. We've grown up together, now here's to growing old together.