I Thought I Loved You Then

We met under the strangest of circumstances... brought together by the Marine Corps in the desert wastelands of Djibouti, Africa (yes, that's really a place, seriously).  We hung out and watched movies together until the sun came up, played cards and shared gimongous bags of Swedish Fish.  I was falling and I knew it, but I was terrified.  When we came home from our crazy trip around the world, I thought we might give the whole dating thing a try,.  I thought I would be ok with whatever happened, but deep in my heart I prayed that we could make it.

I thought I loved you then.

We did more than just give the whole dating thing a try.  We rocked it.  We had ridiculous amounts of fun traveling and basically acting like big kids.  You made me laughed so hard I cried and cry so hard I laughed.  You washed my hair and shaved my legs for me (what a mess!  Never again!) when my right arm was all gimpy from surgery, then you so kindly video taped me trying to stab sushi with chop sticks in my uncoordinated left hand.  You talked some sense into me when I was ready to high tail it back to Florida and you offered to move back to Syracuse with me.  Syracuse.  Who does that?  Willingly?  You left your family, friends and everything you know to move with me so we could start building our life together.  You became my soul mate, my best friend.

I thought I loved you then.

We loved our wine tours.  We went a few times a month, especially in the summer.  We would pack a picnic lunch and drive out to the beautiful Finger Lakes.  I can remember riding along Seneca Lake in our Edge, windows down with my arm hanging out the window, singing along to "Rolling Through The Sunshine" by the Trailer Choir and "Looking For A Good Time" by Lady Antebellum.  Those are some of my most favorite memories.  The weather was gorgeous, the wine was delicious and I was with the love of my life.  On one of our wine tours, April 24, 2010 to be exact, at Miles Winery overlooking Seneca Lake, you stopped and asked me if I knew how much you loved me.  I jokingly responded "How much?" expecting one of your typical silly answers.  I turned to see you down on one knee with the most gorgeous ring in your hand.  "Monica Ann Siegfried, will you marry me?"  I laughed, I cried, I mumbled a bunch of stuff that didn't make any sense as you tried to put the ring on my right hand.  My dreams were coming true.

I thought I loved you then.

On May 28, 2011... a day I had been dreaming about since I was a little girl, I peeked through the window at the back of the church to catch a glimpse of you waiting at the end of the aisle.  My knight in shining armour (or a black tuxedo), my best friend. 

This day filled my heart with so much love and excitement, it could have burst.  Surrounded by family and friends, we pledged our love to each other.  We danced together, drank more wine (we sure do love our wine) and enjoyed the night of our lives.  I remember sitting on the patio of Glenora, watching our guests dancing and laughing and drinking... we just soaked it all in.  It was amazing.  I was so lucky to have you and we were so lucky to be us.  You were now my husband.

I thought I loved you then.

Over the past 2 years we have had our share of ups and downs.  We bought a house,

added the best puppy ever to our family,

suffered a miscarriage and welcomed the most beautiful little girl into our lives.  I remember being in my hospital room, looking into your eyes as I pushed and holding my breath as I waited for your announcement.  Hearing you say "It's a girl!" is a moment I will never forget.  Staring at you holding our brand new baby girl.  You were glowing and beaming with pride.  The love in your eyes for her brought tears to mine.  Hearing you tell her "Hi!  I'm your Daddy" was picture perfect. 

I thought I loved you then.

I can only imagine what this crazy life might have in store for us.  I hope it is filled with more blissful memories, lots of trips to the beach, maybe a few more puppies and babies.  As I write this now, I have tears in my eyes looking back on the beautiful life we have created together.  With each passing day, I love you more and more... but I know that no matter how much I love you today, I know that when I hold your hand in our old people rocking chairs (we are going to have them, right?)... I will look back on even these moments and think

"I thought I loved you then"

Happy anniversary to the best husband, father and friend that I could have ever imagined.

I love you now and I will love you even more then.

Oh and just for fun... look what I stumbled across in my hunt for older pictures!!  Our Wedding Planning Blog/Bio  How fun!