Saturday, September 01, 2007

You are the Sunshine of my Life!
17 years ago today ~ We said "I DO"

Today is my 17th year wedding anniversary. I am honored to say that I am married to the most amazing man.

I know I shared some of this last year but I have so many new visitors to my blog I'd love to share it again with you all.

I moved to Okinawa, Japan where my father was stationed in 1988. I had been involved in a very long relationship to include an engagement and it all resulted in his marriage to another women 3 mths after our break up. I also hated the job that I was in and was ready for some big changes in my life. My dad gave me the chance to move over to Japan and go to school and start a new chapter in my life. We all have life changing moments and let me tell you this is one of the best decisions I've made in my life to date!

I went to school and worked and since my dad was a Marine I dated marines. (Yes, Nicole ~ I probably dated your brother~ hehehe). In 1990 my best friend called me at work and asked if I wanted to go on a blind date and I said "sure" (WHAT?) and then she mentioned it was at a sushi bar and was that okay and I said "sure" (WHAT?). First off, I've never been on a blind date and second I didn't like seafood ~ let alone RAW seafood. I think that was my first anxiety attack in my life. I started thinking of excuses to get out of it and even phoned my friend to say "I'm not sure I can go through with this". She assured me that this blind date was incredibly sweet and that he truly was my type. She picked me up and we went to Jirocho's (a sushi bar outside gate 1 at Kadena AB) and the boys had already arrived. When we approached the table there were 3 men there. I knew my friends boyfriend, but of the other 2 guys ~ which one was my date. I knew which one I hoped it was and walked over by him and sat down. THANK goodness it was my date - how incredibly rude that would have been to the other guy huh?!?hehehe.
Long story short - we ate ~ I ate EEL. The thought of it now makes those hairs on the back of my neck stand up ~ YUK. This is where the second anxiety attack in my life kicked in ~ how in the world did I get way over here away from where my friend is sitting. How did I end up sitting next to this guy? When I go somewhere where I don't know others I tend to stick by those I go with ~ hard to believe I'm sure for some of you that know me well but I am a bit shy around other people that I don't really know. I was pleased with myself though and got over the anxiety and well this date just made me feel comfortable. He was so sweet and very interesting. Before the night was over I felt like I'd known him all my life. After eating we went upstairs to the Karaoke Bar (like you do in Japan you know) and I ended up singing You Are The Sunshine of My Life in front of this wonderful man I just met ~ WHAT??? Third anxiety attack kicked in!
He called me the next day and several days after that we had our second date without the friends. SO many memories that would take up way too much of your time to read so I'll fast track for you. We met April 28th and got married on Sept. 1 the same year. I knew almost the minute that I met this man that this was the MAN God intended for me to marry. I used to always say that my Mr. Right was in Ethiopia or somewhere not in the USA and guess what he was waiting for me in Japan.
We married on base but had many Japanese friends come and it was an incredible day. I remember my walking down the isle to my waiting soon to be husband and all of a sudden his glasses fogged up! Too funny! We had a good laugh over that!

From day one my DH has done so much for me! He cooks, he cleans, he probably changed more diapers than I did with all 3 of our boys ~ why ~ because he wanted me to get an extra hour of sleep, or he knew I had them all day when he was at work and wanted me to have a little break. HE is the most THOUGHTFUL man I've ever known. Honey, I LOVE YOU with all my heart and soul and know that God brought us together and keeps us together!

I have so many more things to post but will share those with you another day soon.
Have a wonderful weekend.

28 comments:

Alice J said...

Sandy,
Do I need to go to Japan to find a guy that cooks, and cleans? I won't even ask him to change diapers cause I can't have children!
He sounds like a keeper, honey!
And I have seen pictures of the 3 boys. They are so cute! Do they cook and clean too? If so, you and DH are going to have to beat the girls off of them!
Guess I will keep the one I got. I have been married to him for 29 years and I guess I am use to his QUIRKY ways now. Maybe I should have hitched a ride to Japan a long time ago?
"But what God has put together let no man put asunder..." And the two of you are doing a fine job together.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!
May God richly bless the two of you in the coming years.
My Blessings,
AliceJ

Linda said...

Happy Anniversary.
Love ya

CG said...

How sweet! Happy Anniversary! Hope you two have a great day!

Sandi McBride said...

Wow, a marriage made in heaven...I was lucky there, too. And someting else we have in common. My Great Niece, Jodie is now living in Okinowa with her AF hubby Nick...her blog address is http://jodieslifeinokinawa.blogspot.com/
Hope you will go over and check out her blogsite and give her some tips about life over there. I think she may be a bit homesick...have a great weekend and Labor Day, don't labor!!!
Sandi

Sharon Tomlinson said...

Congratulations. YOu two are so cute. Rather he is cute with fogged up glasses and you are beautiful. By the way, you haven't changed.
xo

JANET said...

A wonderful tribute to your husband! Hope you have many, many more years together!

Christi said...

Happy Anniversary! LOVE the story of how you met...very sweet! smiles...

Terri Steffes said...

That is the sweetest, most romantic story! It was so sweet of you to share it with all of us newbies!

Michelle said...

Happy anniversary! Blessing for another wonderful year.

You were a beautiful bride!

(((hugs)))

Anonymous said...

Happy anniversary! Thank you for sharing this story with us!
*HUGS*

Terry Richey said...

Happy Anniversary! Got your phone message this morning when we got into the City of Pittsburgh. My cell phone hates these concrete walls at my house. Will check in with you this week, my inlaws are here as well. Hope you have a great Labor Day weekend!

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversay and God's Blessings!!!
By the way, you and your sister look soooooooo mcuh alike.

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary Steven and Sandy!

Don Richey

carlene federer said...

Happy Anniversary! 17 years is quite an accomplishment in this day & age! My husband & I have been married 17 years as well...
thanx for sharing the story of how you meant, it was very cute & funny!

Bev Davis said...

sandy what a WONDEFFUL post BOTH you and your husband are blessed to have each other. What lucky little boys you have....

Happy Anniversery,
Bev Davis

Unknown said...

Well Sandy first off Happy Anniversary dear friend! And too many more!

You are so welcome on mom's art work. I will pass on your sweet comments to her. That will certainly make her day! I just wanted someone who really appriecate's the work/skill behind the painting to enjoy the piece.

Many hugs!

Lisa said...

Those are great results! Ican see the similarities! Tell your son I also have a "pretty boy" and all the girls love him! :)

Unknown said...

Happy Anniversary! Great story.Hope you had a great day!

Adele said...

Happy Anniversary! My 17th wedding was the last anniversary that Ron and I would be childless. We traveled a month after our 17th wedding anniversary to China to adopt our daughter.
I loved hearing your story about how you two met. Thanks for sharing. Hope you had a wonderful anniversary.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Awww, congrats, Sandy...I just love these anniversary stories. Thanks for sharing!

Rhoda

Jill said...

Sandy - Happy Anniversary! I loved reading about how the two of you met. What a wonderful story. You were obviously meant to be together.

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary! I have to send you a picture of my brother. I wonder! You are so beautiful, I wouldnt doubt that you did! :)
Nicole

Justabeachkat said...

Very sweet post and I loved seeing the photo!

Happy Anniversary and hope there are many, many more.

Hugs!
Kat

Dawn-Hydrangea Home said...

Hi Sandy! Happy Anniversary! Loved your story. Thanks for finding my blog and for the great comments. I would love to add you to my list too!

Diann McDuffie said...

I didn't know your story--how awesome. Boy, I would love to just sit down and here all your stories from your many travels! Have a great anniversary week!

Julie said...

Happy anniversary!..okay so I am a few days late, but I am playing catch up from this weekend! Hope you had a blast.

Miss*Laurence said...

Well that was a lucky Sushi evening! 17 years, twice as much as us roughly, still, you don't think about it do you? the day comes and you think huh? 17 years? 30 years? 50??? I didn't see the time go by! That's when you know you are lucky and love every bit of it! Congrats!

Jennifer in MS said...

Happy Belated Anniversary!! You've got one year up on me! :0)

I LOVED reading this story of how you two met! That's awesome and oh so sweet! Thanks for sharing!