our story

Matt and I went to the same high school, but were not high school sweet hearts. I didn't even like the guy. (He, apparently, was also misunderstood as a teenager... but maybe just by me). I was very concerned about my education and was one of these people that MUST. MAKE. A's. Matt was a class clown. So, really, I just thought he was immature and goofy and a distraction. (I was judgmental). Anyway, all that to say that if you had told me nine years ago we would be married with two sons, I would have told you that you were crazy.

So what happened? Matt and I were in Spanish five together our senior year. Most Fridays, our Spanish teacher (Hey, Sra. Blythe!) would let us play Trivial Pursuit in Spanish. Matt and I would always make sure we were on the same team, because I could understand her and translate all the questions and answers, and he knew all the trivia. We were pretty much the most awesome Trivial Pursuit team EVAH. After graduation, Matt decided to come up to the mountains with my group of friends, who included Trent, Matt's best friend. We decided to go up to my friend Anna's Aunt's house in the mountains rather than to the beach with all the drunk folks. Anyway, when I heard Matt was coming, I got this fluttery feeling in my stomach (which is totally strange and inexplicable considering I didn't even like the guy). When he got there (a day or two after I had already arrived), I had just taken a shower and came down with a towel on my head. He said, "Erykah Badu." I don't know why I remember that. I have a terrible memory.

All of us spent the whole week playing games in the evenings. The first night we played the game of Life. Matt and I decided we had to be on the same team, after all, it was tradition. Anyway, I guess the flirting began then, and he touched my knee under the table. (Don't tell his mom). So we spent the week hanging out and staying up late and being on the same team for every game. And THAT is how it all began. When we were leaving the mountains, Matt said that he would call me. He said that his parents had just moved to Connecticut, and he had just moved in with his Grandaddy and didn't know his phone number. And, by the way, he had also lost his cell phone. I was thinking, "Wow. He could just tell me he doesn't want to see me anymore. He doesn't have to make up this elaborate story. Sure. He'll call me."

But, he really was telling the truth about all those things, and he sent me an email that night and called soon after. We began dating (mostly day dates because Matt worked nights), and spent the whole summer together. He had already committed to UNCW, and I was on my way to ECU. After two years at different schools, Matt transferred to ECU. We got engaged Christmas of 2002 and were married on May 15, 2004.

We tried to get pregnant for a year and a half before we got pregnant with Gabe (in August of 2007). He was stillborn at 37 weeks in April of 2008, and we got pregnant with Jonah about ten weeks later.

... And that's a really short version that brings you up to the here and now.

Here are only a few of the things I love about Matt:

- he loves sports and knows more about them than anyone I've ever met

- he has to wear a hat any time we leave the house unless he's going to work or church

- he has a ridiculously good memory

- he has a great sense of humor

- everybody thinks he's quiet and shy, but that is definitely NOT true

- he's an extremely hard worker and very, very smart

- he's a hottie

- he's a hands-on dad and gets up every night with me to help with Jonah, even though he has to get up and go to work the next day. And he doesn't resent it.

- he would do anything for me or Jonah

- he is GREAT at forgiveness

- he loves Jesus and shows me how to be more like Him

- he's fun to be around, and I actually WANT to hang out with him any time I can

... which we plan to do tomorrow when my sister and Kathryn come to watch Jonah, so we can go to lunch and a movie. Woo-hoo!

Happy Anniversary, Matt. You're my blue sky.