Wednesday, January 21, 2009

28 years

(throwing a football...this was the 3rd day we hung out...we had already kissed)

Dear Babe,

Happy Birthday today. You're 28. And I am missing you because you're away on business. I bet you will laugh at the quality of the picture. Truth be told, you've shown me a hundred times how to scan a photo. But those details bore me, I never really listen...and let's be honest, I'm a little helpless in the technology department without you. So I took a photo, of a photo. yeah.

This morning I woke up thinking about kissing.
(it's your birthday, I thought you'd like that)

And I just want to thank you for kissing me the very first time we hung out. We were 16. I knew you were going to try...even though we'd only just met. I thought you really really liked me. I didn't know you were a player. It was still amazing.

Remember how I once asked you to tell me about all the girls you'd kissed (although, lets be honest here...it was a lot more than kissing). I had to beg actually. You didn't want to. It took a few days. Finally, you caved to my pressure. And once we got to girl # 30, I didn't want to hear any more. Then you asked me how many boys I'd kissed. I was SUPER embarrassed to admit it after your lengthy list...."ummm, well...just you". After your initial pride, you were kind of embarrassed too.

I also want to thank you for sticking around after I sat you down and gave you a 'For the Strength of Youth' pamphlet. You know, the one that uses words like "petting", and "groping", and "sexual purity". And then I told you that I wouldn't be doing much more than kissing you. When you left that night, you didn't plan on calling me again. I'm glad you did.

I like that our lives changed together. You got baptised, I went to college, you went on a mission...we both matured, a lot. I like that we have documentation of the immaturity though. We have a ridiculous amount of kissing pictures. Kissing at 16, 17, 18, 19 (skip a few years for the mish) 21, 22 and on it goes.

A couple nights ago, we were just laying around in bed, I was staring at the ceiling deep in thought, and you asked me if I would marry you all over again. I took it as one of those rhetorical questions and I answered simply, "of course I would". And then I asked you the same question, and I turned to look at you. Your head was propped up on your hand and you had tears in your eyes... you answered me with a kiss.

I wish I knew what thoughts brought the tears, but maybe you were thinking about your upcoming birthday, and the passing of time, and it was just a big mash of all the beautiful memories of life together. I like that we can celebrate all of it with a kiss.

We need to take another kissing picture. It's been a while...I hope we never get too mature for that.

See you tonight,
Tara

17 comments:

meg said...

Too romantic - I hope the couch will catch me when I swoon.

Brandon and Natalie said...

Oh Tara, that almost made me cry!!! You guys are so sweet together - who knew he had a side like that?!?!?! I hope Painter likes it - I think his favorite part will be the public announcement that he's kissed 30 girls :) That would be Brandon's... Happy B-day Painter! (Yeah, I know his name, but it sounds weird, he's only Painter at our house...)

Missy said...

You are such a good writer Tara! I loved reading this. You guys are adorable...what better memory to have with each other (and to continue) than kissing?!

Happy Birthday to your husband!

Christy said...

so, so sweet! and i loved hearing this part of your story. i didn't know you introduced dave to the church and all that. very cool!

happy birthday dave!

Nicole said...

so sweet! :) i love that you have years and years of kissing pictures.

Tiff and Dave said...

So sweet Tara! Happy Birthday Dave! I forgot he was our same age! Such a fun story and fun memories! You guys have been together for a long time! Thanks for sharing!

shakenbake said...

Tara, you don't need me to say anymore that your post made me cry, but...your post made me cry again! What a great relationship you two have.

Isaura said...

what sweet words to your hubby!!
happy birthday to him!

Zach 'n' Jack said...

so beautiful. you guys are the great couple, and i love how sweet he is (and you too!!). Happy birthday, and miss you guys!

kat and jason said...

alli have to say is......so sweet.

Jill Revell said...

That is so sweet! I just love your dating story...you guys are just PERFECT for each other!

Tiffany said...

Oh my gosh, that is the sweetest post ever! You are such a cute couple. Happy Birthday Dave! You have the perfect little family, adorable little ones. (Which I can't believe how they are changing! They look so much older to me). I wish you guys still lived in KC! We miss you here.

dixonfamily said...

Wow! that was beautiful! I just love your story and all the history you guys have together. Happy Birthday Dave! Happy kissing! Miss you guys!

Bailey Family said...

Great post. You need to get paid for your posts...

Happy Birthday to David! He is the first of us to turn 28...once he turns then we know that we all follow close behind. I will enjoy my last six months of 27. I am sad that we missed him when he stopped by this week! But...I loved how he let us know he had been here...only Dave!

Lisa said...

Love this post. I love hearing about your "early" days and I love that I remember a few of them. Happy late birthday, David.

Whit said...

Precious. Gives everyone (like me) hope for the future hubbie. You're a lucky girl :)

Loni Stevens said...

You just made me teary! You two are cute.