Eleven years ago today....at this very hour....

saturday,august 7 1999 i was in a hotel room in oakland with my bridesmaids getting all primped up for my big day. of course there was no sleep the night before. i was up and starting hair preparation between 4 & 5 in the morning. the nite before we had just settled the HUGE fiasco with the tuxedos. the shop was closed and all te men's tuxes were locked inside. gotta have a few little hangups along the way. anyway, i did my bridesmaids' hair, steamed my dress (again), stressed over every little detail of the reception then finally put on my dress and finished my hair. i remember looking in the mirror and telling myself to take a big breath and headed with the entourage to the temple. the most beautiful moment was about to occur. i'll spare all the super personal details but just know that jared and i had a quick second to look at each other and smile as we sat outside our sealing room. it has been 11 years since we walked in, and shared that wonderful event with the perfect people in our lives. we are celebrating our anniversary today apart, unfortunately, but for good reason. i am off to the temple to witness one of my young women repeat this for herself and her soon to be hubby. after that i will enjoy a few hours of alone time, probably school shopping for the kids, then i'll be doing the music for the reception. jared and i had our weekend away a few weeks ago, and this thursday we are having a big ol' long date at Raging Waters and the Cheesecake Factory. we are both super stoked for that. this morning as i woke up i couldn't help but reflect on how much we've been thru these years together. i think we've done pretty well, 2 apprenticeships for him, 4 kids, great church callings, making great couple/parent friends and just as in love with eachother today as we were years ago. this year he has proved to me in a huge way my favorite quality he has. i've always told him he is the most understanding person i have ever met. he totally gets me, understands why i do what i do, and he thinks it's all amazing. i got him fooled huh? nah. anyway, cheers to us. love you my little honey pot.