How I Met Your Father {Show & Tell Monday}

This week's topic for Show & Tell Monday, 'How I Met Your Father' was too fun not to join again! Funny thing is, we spent our weekend rewatching How I Met Your Mother on Netflix...Ha!

1. Tell us about how and when you met your love and what attracted you most to him.

I'm sure I've told this story several times before (after all, it is the story behind my blog title), but I hope no one is tired of hearing it, because I love telling our story. It all started on Myspace (you know, back when Myspace was still cool). Wait, actually let's back that up a bit more, because really, it all started when my church got a new preacher. Our church had hit a rough patch when it came to preachers, but finally we found a great one, and he had a step daughter a few years younger than me, Bethany. At a church lock-in where we were the only two to stay up the whole night, Bethany and I became instant friends. Before long, we were inseparable. I was at her house nearly every weekend, and when we weren't together, we were constantly leaving each other a TON of silly comments on Myspace. Did I mention Bethany had a half brother? Two, actually! The first I ever heard of them was a few months into our friendship when she asked me to pray for her oldest brother who was leaving for his second deployment to Iraq. (I bet you see where this story is going now, don't you!?) Well, that brother, Matt saw one of my many comments to his sister and asked her who 'the cute girl who was always posting on your profile' was. Bethany switched into matchmaker mode, and before long we were chatting on messenger nearly every night. At the time, I was struggling with a lot of self confidence issues and Matt made it his mission to make me feel like a princess. After talking for several months, we officially became a couple, having never even met in person. The thing about building a relationship online is that it forces you to really talk and get to know each other better than you might in a regular dating relationship. You don't have the worries of making small talk or a physical relationship. For me personally, I have an easier time opening up and being myself online because of my social anxiety. It did not take long before we were madly in love, and talking marriage...again, having never met in person!

That first meeting seemed like it took an eternity, but in October 2006, that day finally arrived. I was waiting at Matt's moms (I'd already at that point met the entire family already!). His sister had picked him up at the airport, and we thought was bringing him straight there, but no such luck. He'd made a pit stop at his dad's and would be a while longer...or so I thought. I'll never forget that moment I heard the door open and saw my prince's reflection for the very first time...he was dressed in his dress blues, and carrying a pillow with a single rose and 'glass' slippers. See, I have an obsession with Cinderella...it's one of my very favorite Disney movies, and Matt knew this! It was the most perfect surprise. A few weeks later, he whisked me off to California to the Marine Corps ball (where I of course wore those shoes!), and six years later we are still living our happily ever after! Truly, our own personal Cinderella story!!

2. Show us the very first {or one of the first} pictures you guys ever took together. {Feel free to show us more than one}

This photo was taken on that day we met for the first time! A fairy tale dream come true! (Doesn't he look like a real Prince Charming?) I am shocked at how much younger Matt looks in this photo! I don't think I've changed nearly as much as he has!

And the Ball, because really that was our big fairy tale moment, right?
(And really, we only had just met too!)

3. Tell us some of your favorite memories that you two had together.

Well, of course those two events mentioned above are among my top picks! We've had so many others it's hard to choose! Of course there are the obvious, getting married and the birth of our son.

I always say that as a military wife, though being apart sucks, we also get those reunions that other wives don't typically get to experience! It's a wonderful feeling finally being reunited for this first time in months, and those moment are definitely among some of my greatest memories!

Another great memory for me was going to Disneyland for the first time. Matt had been before, but I think it was even special for him seeing it through mine and Shaun's eyes! And I have to say, Matt is not always the most patient man, BUT he willingly waited in line for 2 hours (I kid you not!), at the princess exhibit so his crazy wife could have her photo taken with Cinderella! Unfortunately, after that long wait, Cinderella wasn't even there, but we did get to see her later in the day, and he willingly waited then too! 

Who looks more excited here? ;)

4. Tell us your favorite qualities about this man, what makes him "the one."
To be honest, it's hard to pinpoint exactly what it is that makes me love my husband! You know how they say opposites attract? That is certainly the case with the two of us! I'm quiet, he's loud. I'm reserved, he's adventurous. I'm a vegetarian, he loves hunting and steak. I don't cuss, he's a Marine. Well, you get the idea! We're complete opposites, but we even each other out! One thing I will say that I love about my husband is his sense of humor and his story telling...he constantly has me laughing! (If he didn't crack up at his own stories, he'd make a great comedian.) And I love his laugh. People never believe me when I say this, he gets teased about his laugh, but really I love it! He's just a wonderful man, and I love him more every day!!

5. Tell us what your "date nights" typically look like.

What date nights? Seriously, wherever we go, Shaun is always there! We've gone out to eat quickly maybe once or twice in the past five years, but that's about it. The upcoming ball will be our first real date night since Shaun was born! Exciting!


And just because, I'll share a more recent pic...my favorite of our family photos from this weekend!! (I'll post more soon!)