When I first met Joe, it was at church - go figure! Haha. It was at my singles ward, he had a calling in his family ward so he would just 'visit' singles wards each week. My Bishop was actually released that day so sacrament went on for like an extra hour! We were the last ward meeting in the building that day so it was okay! It was a bittersweet day. The Bishop that had helped me through so much was moving on but it helped me realize how much I appreciated him and all he had done for our little ward. I still remember the moment I turned around in the pew to look for someone, who, I don't remember. But I do remember seeing Joe. I even remember what he was wearing! I won't bore you with those details. : ) I just remember thinking he looked SO different. (in a good way) Different from any man I had ever seen before. I also remember trying to place his ethnicity. Spanish, Mexican, Indian, I just couldn't place it! And believe it or not, I would never have thought Hawaiian because I hadn't actually ever met anyone from or related to Hawaiian. Sheltered, I know. I knew that I was going to look for his face after sacrament was over, I just had to meet him. Turns out, God was smiling on me that day. One of the girls I hung around with had grown up with Joe and she was excited to see him back from his mission. She introduced us. How lucky was I???
Joe was so bashful, apprehensive, shy, cute!! He was deathly afraid of girls, poor guy was only a month off his mission! I was convinced for so long that he was into my beautiful best friend from Australia so I decided not to approach. We hung out quite a bit, Joe, Katrina, David and I. We had a lot of good times. Lots of laughs, lots of memories. I'm so grateful for those days. They helped me build confidence, helped me find out who I was, helped me realize that I was loved.
They were good days.
Our first kiss was shared on the front porch of the very house that we're living in now. He proposed to me in the front room of this house. I experienced the amazing beauty of the Temple with Joe and all the blessings it holds. I've gone through some of the most difficult experiences with Joe. Our first child was born with birth defects, he couldn't come home with us right away, he had 3 surgeries within the first 6 months of his life. Our faith and marriage were brutally tested throughout Enoch's first year on this earth but I am convinced, that if I had married anyone else, we would have not come out alive at the end of it. Instead of growing apart in a stressful situation, Joe and I grew stronger. Closer.
Joe has helped me become the person I am today and I can only hope I've had a small part in who he has become today. I'm so grateful to have Joe in my life and I'm truly blessed to be sealed to him for eternities. He is an amazing man and I continue to try to deserve having him in my life, everyday.
So Joe, Happy 7 years to you. I love you and always will. Here's to the Eternities. : )
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