12 years ago, Josh and I celebrated our first Valentines Day together.  We had been dating for about a month. I remember him buying me a bear that had a pillow that said "I love you", but I honestly can not remember if he had said that to me yet.  I will have to read my journal to find out, but we were at BYU-Idaho, so one month equals like a year in Mormon time, right?  I do remember him having a DTR (determine the relationship) talk with me and telling me that he was only going to date me, and it was cool if I wanted to date others, but if I was...could I just let him know.

On Valentines Day, my roommate Kari, who also happened to be Josh's second cousin, was on a double date with her man Kendall, and Josh and I.  It was a cold, snowy, and VERY WINDY night in Rexburg.  We had plans for dinner but they fell through when the power went out and nothing was open.

We drove around laughing and trying to find anywhere to eat.  We even thought about going to a grocery store and buying sandwich stuff and cookies.  We finally saw some lights and followed them, soon realizing that they were the lights of the Hospital.  The Hospital had power!  So we parked, and wandered inside to find an amazing cafeteria with food and power and had our first Valentines Dinner there.

I sort of had a hunch I might marry this guy, but little did I know that I would deliver our first child at that very hospital just 2 1/2 years later.

The last 12 years have been really amazing.  Sure there have been ups and downs, highs and lows, but after 12 years together Josh still knows how to make me laugh, and he is always trying to find new ways to surprise me and make me happy.  We probably only get the chance to spend about 5-10% of our time together these days, but we try to make it worth it as a couple and with the kiddo's.  Work hard, play hard...that really should be our family's motto.  We have spent 12 years creating a life and world together that no one knows as well as us.  I would dare to say that all we have gained together from when we first met 12 years ago, is absolutely, definitely and infinitely priceless.

Happy Valentines Day!
xoxo