Dear Mr. Furedy,
23 years ago- We spent a summer talking, holding hands (which at the time was quite shocking behavior for both of us) and sweating to death on my parent's front porch.
22 years ago- After a long year of ignoring each other, at at the urging (of more than a few) friends (who apparently saw something that neither you or I could see), we decided to give it another try. This time with real dates and MUCH more than holding hands.
(Yes, this is a picture, of Joe and I in Mr. Steiner's AP Physics class. That's Sherwood's arm to the right of us. And no, I don't understand why a teacher let us act like this in class, but from what folks say, this is pretty much what Joe and I were like all through high school.)
20 years ago- Our time in high school came to a close- Prom (remember the horse drawn carriage ride?), Graduation, tons of memories and fun- and you are part of every single one of them. It was a fun time, and a scary time as you headed off to Tucson for a new adventure (that I worried about because it didn't include me.) Little did I know how much you would be home, and how quickly you would transfer back to ASU.
(Ah, the awesome blue dress, the 3 hours at the beauty salon to achieve that hair do, the white carnations dyed to match... such memories!)
19 years ago- The accident happened. Overnight, I became a grown-up. And the only person who was here with me to hold my hand and tell me that it would be okay was you.
17 years ago- You surprised me (and our friends AND families) with a proposal of marriage. I'll never forget that evening and the ring box sliding across the table to me- when you told me that you couldn't imagine your life with out me in it.
16 years ago- We made it official and became husband and wife. And I didn't promise to 'obey'. Despite the fact that you didn't want or need the big ceremony in the church with all the people, you did that for me. Because of me.
15 years ago- Who knew a first year of marriage would involve us seeing each other LESS than we had ever seen each other before? But we made it through- my first year of teaching and your last year of college. We thought we had it made when that year was over... little did we know the job search that was ahead for you.....
13 years ago- Our first home. How glad we were to leave behind that apartment, the drug dealing neighbors (He stole my pot!) and that carpet that never really ever smelled right. It was a sign... we were becoming adults. Little did we know how much of my family would live with us in that little house!
13 years ago- We became parents. To a 6 lb. bundle of yellow-white fur. Nobody told us how hard puppy raising would be! And although she was never as good of a dog as Pogue was (our dog role model) Ellie was a good girl... and a part of so many of my memories of that time in our lives.
(This is the night I graduated with my Master's Degree... you have always supported my continued search for more education. I know that paying for this degree was a huge challenge, but I appreciate the support you gave me through the entire process.)
10 years ago- Lots of bedrest and one missed Thanksgiving dinner later, Miss Julia Corrinne arrived (too many consonants!)- she was yellow and skinny and wrinkled and a little mad at the world, and we loved her just the same. You helped me do the two things that I wanted most... to have a natural delivery and to exclusively nurse (and I don't think we had any idea how easy the first one would be and how hard the second one would be...) You were such a trooper during those first few really hard months... you became a protector, a daddy, and we became a real family.
(This is one of my favorite pictures from Julia's christening. See how tired we look? We were REALLY that tired. When you don't sleep for 4 months straight... this is what you look like!)
9 years ago- Not planned (I know, I know, I don't know how to count) but the time had come and Miss Julia was going to be a 'big' sister. At the same time, I was going to school for my principal's certificate and you were studying for your PE. I remember working, caring for Julia, puking my guts out and you and I studying. That is all.
8 years ago- More bedrest, hospital time and being really scared- but in the end it all worked out just the way it should... and Mr. Colin James (not enough consonants!) entered our lives. His easy going nature was a good and welcome addition to our little family.... that was now complete.
(This photo was taken at Paige's baby shower.... we were anxiously awaiting the arrival of our first cousin to play with... Asher!)
7 years ago- My principalship adventure. I will say no more. It was the rockiest road that we ever walked together... and I wasn't sure by the end if we would still be walking side by side. But we made it through....
6 years ago- A new, beautiful home for our family to grow in.... that needed just a bit of love. And oh yea, a whole new kitchen please!
5 years ago- We sent the girlie off to Kindergarten. I'll never forget both of us walking to our cars after her class went in, holding hands and wiping the tears away.
4 years ago- I started a journey to a new me. A healthier, skinnier, stronger me. And you've supported me through every step of that journey. Which I know is not always easy, but you are always there, encouraging me to become what I want to be...
2 years ago- A swollen arm following a canyoneering trip that lead to one of the scariest times in our lives. I will never forget that first night, when you were in surgery and I was waiting for you all alone and I thought about what my life would be like without you. It was one of my darkest moments. I prayed so hard for God to leave you on earth with me because I couldn't imagine walking through this life without you by my side.
(What I love about this photo is that it shows what you looked at everyday that you were in the hospital... you looked at photos of your KIDS. Because that was your motivation to get better...)
1 year ago- An escape to Vegas to celebrate LIFE, health, and our marriage... and yes, somehow you convinced me to jump out of an airplane?
Today- Today, we celebrate 16 years of marriage and 22 (or 23 depending on how you count) years of a relationship. Our years together have been filled with so many joys, and a few sorrows. We have walked this road of life together, hand in hand. I've grown up with you by myside. We have changed so much over the years, experienced so many things, and loved each other through every moment.
If someone had told me, 23 years ago, that I would still be walking with you by my side every day, I would have told them they were crazy.
If someone had told me 16 years ago, that I would love you MORE now than I did then, I would have said it wasn't possible. But I do. Love you more. Everyday.
If someone had told me, 6 years ago, that we could mend what we had broken and that we would emerge stronger and better than we were before, I would have told them it wasn't possible.
If someone had told me , 2 years ago, that I would have you with me today, as healthy and as active as you were before the blood clot, I would have told them that it was a dream come true.
If someone had told me...
that our lives would turn out this way, that our story would grow and change like this, I would have told them it wasn't possible because stories like this only happen in books or in the movies.
If someone had told me, 6 years ago, that we could mend what we had broken and that we would emerge stronger and better than we were before, I would have told them it wasn't possible.
If someone had told me , 2 years ago, that I would have you with me today, as healthy and as active as you were before the blood clot, I would have told them that it was a dream come true.
If someone had told me...
that our lives would turn out this way, that our story would grow and change like this, I would have told them it wasn't possible because stories like this only happen in books or in the movies.
Happy anniversary Mr. Furedy!
Your Carrie
