Friday, June 26, 2015

Celebrating 10 Years of Marriage!



Today marks our 10th wedding anniversary!

I posted the following back in 2010 -  the first year I blogged:

Today Louis Dean and I are celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary! It all started on April 16, 2005 when I received a notification fromeHarmony.com...."You have a MATCH."

I joined eHarmony on January 1st, 2005. My mother helped me do the 4 hour profile procedure which was pretty in depth! eHarmony matches you with someone compatible in LIKES and DISLIKES as well as character, interests, education, spiritual qualities and a host of others. I married at such a young age that I had never 'dated' before and was not at all sure what I was getting into. After recently ending a 41 year old marriage I had no real intention of getting serious about anyone but I did think it would be nice to go to dinner and movies and have a bit of a social life. I was matched with a banker, a minister, several truck drivers, a couple of postal workers, several business men.....and then on April 16, 2005 a retired school teacher! He, too, had been married 41 years .......happy years! Sadly, he had lost his wife in 2000. When we matched Louis Dean had clicked on 'Fast Track'....meaning skip right to the chase and exchange emails. I was talking to my mother on the phone when I received his message through eHarmony. My mother said, "Click YES!" So I did....and the rest is history!
Our first date was at the Fort Worth Zoo.....he was the tall, dark and handsome man standing on his 6'1" tip toes looking out over the parking lot for ME! He had prepared a picnic lunch for us which we ate on the tailgate of his truck......2 kinds of chicken, potato salad, baked beans and homemade rolls. We walked and talked and spent the entire day and into the evening together. I was so comfortable with him from the very beginning! I had become very wary of men in general and barely even allowed myself to  be hugged by my own brother and dear brother in law. You know how when you first meet someone there is a bit of hesitancy and self conscientiousness? I felt none of this......I was as comfortable with him as if I had known him my entire life! He held my hand and we had a word of prayer in his truck before he left for his home in Brownwood. (169 miles from my front door to his!) I believe our match was a God-thing. We are perfect for each other. After a very short time I was as surprised as anyone to find myself married to the nicest man I have ever met in my life! I thank God for Louis Dean every day!
We have been through a lot in these few years but never have we had harsh words with each other or stress between us. The stress has come from outside pressures....supporting a granddaughter which required him to go back to work for awhile, me losing my job, surgery for me, a heart attack for him, sadness over some of his family deciding not to share our life as well as the usual ups and downs of life in general. Through it all we have supported and comforted each other as well as laughed and had more fun than we thought possible. We are truly better together than we would be apart! Life is always an adventure! Life itself is a blessing! To spend the rest of our lives together as soul mates.....well, that is PRICELESS!

In 2012, as we celebrated our 7th anniversary,  I did another post about our eHarmony match.

Today marks our 10th anniversary and it has been a bit more low key than usual.


Louis Dean is continuing to recover well from his knee surgery and we are doing his exercises 3 times a day. He got to take a shower today and that made him feel even better.


This evening we sat out in the gazebo with a glass of wine and it started to storm - 


right after I lit the fire pit!


Before it started to rain, I strung up some lights along the fence.
We sat in the gazebo until we started getting wet from the rain blowing in!


We actually enjoyed this little storm, partly because we knew it wasn't going to rain for days and weeks! I took this pic through the kitchen French door. I will be glad when Louis Dean is well again.
I used this door a lot - even after it started to hang and I would have to lift it up and pull it shut.
Finally, a couple of weeks ago, the hinges came completely loose from the door jamb.
Now it is shut and locked and can't be used at all until he repairs it.


This afternoon I was cutting up a watermelon and remembered something I had seen on Facebook.
It was margarita soaked watermelon slices - so I tried it!!

Facebook Photo

Mine didn't turn out as pretty as the Facebook photo - but I only made ONE slice!!

The storm has blown over so we may venture out on the driveway to sit a spell before going to bed.
While we have yet to reach triple digits - it is still too hot to go out during the day.
The rain has cooled things off nicely tonight!


27 comments:

Deb said...

Happy Anniversary! What a storm! Enjoy your week

Kathy said...

Happy anniversary! I truly believe God gave you and LD to each other. You just belong together. Glad your storm cooled things off a bit.

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Happy 10th Anniversary Linda and LD. Hugs.
Joy

Jutta said...

Congratulations You Two! Your fondly written words with love all over is precious and so true. Lovely blogging!!!

MadSnapper said...

Happy Happy anniversary and i loved your story.. so glad it worked out for both of you..

Susie said...

Happy anniversary to you two sweethearts. I loved reading this post. Honestly the minute LD brought that picnic lunch along, looking handsome and all...I would have called David's Bridal Gowns. LOL. Just Kidding. I think like you said Linda, it was meant to be. I love how you two work together and get along so well. You are both considerate of each other's feelings and needs. You are a wonderful couple. I just love you guys, Susie

Linda said...

Happy Anniversary to both of you!!! Linda, your eHarmony story and first picnic date with Louis Dean is so beautiful, and you have both thrived in one another's company. Thank you so much for sharing.

Changes in the wind said...

Happy Anniversary and loved hearing how you met...somehow I had missed that...what a dream come true for you both.

Nita said...

So glad Louis Dean is doing so well. What a blessing it truly is , that not only did you find the love of your life...you also found a true best friend in Ruth Ann. Happy 10th Anniversary, and many more !

Wanda said...

Dear Sweet LINDA.... Your story is straight out of Heaven. It's so good to hear your story from beginning to now with your sweetheart. I must say I had to tear up a couple of times. Live is good, God is better, and when you put the both together...priceless...Happy HAPPY 10th Anniversary. Love and Hugs

Stacey said...

Happy Anniversary you two.

We know so many people who've been happily united through a dating website. What a great thing. :)

White Lace and Promises said...

I love your story. I remember the first time I read it and I thought, "Wow, Beautiful." Sounds like it's still beautiful!

Vee said...

How glad we are that Louis Dean is doing well? Any pain relief yet or is the tenderness from surgery making it tough to tell?

Happy Anniversary! Ten years is a wonderful marriage milestone. Hope that you keep right on celebrating all year.

Jan said...

Happy Anniversary and many more!

Shirley said...

Happy Anniversary, You can also think of marriage as a roller coaster with the ups and downs, but when you love the person you are with it doesn't seem to matter because you are there for each other. Hope you have many more years down the road. Hugs and Prayers from Your Missouri Friend Shirley.

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Happy anniversary wonderful couple! I read your story and it sure was God sent. You always look so happy in your posts with dear LD and I'm thrilled he's mending from his knee surgery.
May you both be happy for many, many more years to come.
Big hugs,
FABBY

Debbie said...

Happy anniversary, your love for each other is so evident!! I'm so happy you found each other, that you did not give up on finding true love!! This time, it's forever!!

Your wedding pictures are beautiful!!

Blondie's Journal said...

Happy Anniversary and all the best to LD and his knee. This is a warm and happy story--I love hearing how we all meet our loved ones but these stories...matches with strangers that click are incredible!

Love to you both! :)

Jane x

Estelle's said...

I do believe God had a plan for you both...it seems you opened your hearts and it's been a lovely, lovely life together. You are amazing and I am so happy you were blessed with this beautiful time in life.

Arlene G said...

Happy Anniversary Linda...loved reading how you two met. Your love for each other shines through your blog!! So glad LD is up and around...he looks like he feels pretty good. ( Maybe it was the margarita watermelon!!:) Yall have a blessed and happy day remembering all the sweet times you have shared.

Diana Ferguson said...

Happy 10th anniversary! Loved the stories. Blessings and hugs to you!

Linda said...

Happy Anniversary! You are truly blessed with a wonderful man and he with you also. I loved reading how you met and about your first date and the other stories.

Aloha Acres said...

Happy Anniversary. I adore y'all. I feel like I know you so well. ((hugs)) Wish Chris and I could enjoy a glass of wine with you some night.

Penny said...

Congratulations on your 10th anniversary. You were made for each other! Who couldn't love a man who brings a picnic on a first date! X

Nonnie said...

I love your love story beginning and your everyday love. So wonderful!

benilhalk said...

Happy anniversary!! I’m so sorry to know that sudden storm ruined your day. This is a main reason I never opt out for the outdoor party venues and always reserve the indoor party places Miami for all events.

Carla said...

HAPPY BELATED ANNIVERSARY to two of the most wonderful people.
You go together like pancakes and syrup. How do like that? LOL
Sweet and syrupy.