And I Thought I Loved You Then...

Four years ago today I went to the Sundance with my sister. It was Tuesday night, my sister had just gotten home for Thanksgiving break, and we wanted to get prettied up and go somewhere fun to talk. The Sundance may seem like an odd choice, which it kind of was since we weren’t planning on dancing (hence me wearing a tube top) but thought the music would lend to a fun setting to catching up. Who would have thought that this random night would be the night I would meet the man I would one day marry?  Cole and I spent the entire night swing dancing and we ended up closing the bar down.  He got my number and we had our first date a week later at Chipotle.  What a funny night that was...not only did I almost forget my purse in the restaurant, but I had locked myself out of my house. (at least I made a lasting impression, right?!?) haha. 

We said we loved each other on New Years Eve and things only continued to get better from there.  Here are a few pics/highlights from our amazing romance.

Looking snazzy heading out to the Sundance! November 2005

Our frist picture together in front of my dad's Christmas tree

A picture of us later that year back at the Sundance having fun

The summer after we met Cole visited me while I was doing Totus Tuus.  He took me on a surprise picnic and made us rings out of grass.  Needless to say, we knew we would get engaged soon!

Part 1 of our engagement:  Limo ride to the Melting Pot

Part 2 of our engagement:  Hot Air Balloon Ride over Fort Collins

Part 3 of our engagement:  Surprise set up of wine, candles, cheese and crackers at my dad's cabin

With our song playing in the background he proposed!! 8-5-06

Trip to Disney World with my fam...where all your dreams come true!

Our first cruise together

Engagement Photo

8-4-07  Our wedding day...the best day of my life!

On our honeymoon in Playa del Carmen

Graduating from college 2008!!!

Homeowners!  We LOVE this house!

Our First Wedding Anniversary in Pagosa Springs

Our 2nd Cruise together

Such a fun trip to the Sand Dunes

Our 2nd Wedding Anniversary in Estes Park

And now we are having a BABY! :)

Cole and I have had different songs throughout our relationship that we considered “our songs”. Some include I Caught Fire by The Used, Making Memories of Us by Keith Urban, and She’s Everything to Me by Brad Paisley. The following are the lyrics to our newest song. We love it and I feel it truly embodies the relationship we have. With every day that passes I love him more and more…something that everyday would seem impossible. I love him more today than I did yesterday, but less then I will tomorrow.

I Thought I Loved You Then by Brad Paisley

I remember trying not to stare the night that I first met you
You had me mesmerized
And 3 weeks later in the front porch light taking 45 min to kiss goodnight
I hadn’t told you yet but I thought I loved you then


Chorus
Now you’re my whole life now you’re my whole world
I just can’t believe the way I feel about you girl
Like a river meets the sea
Stronger than it’s ever been
We’ve come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then.


I remember taking you back to right where I first met you
You were so surprised
There were people around
But I didn’t care I got down on one knee right there
And once again I thought I loved you then


Chorus
Now you’re my whole life now you’re my whole world
I just can’t believe the way I feel about you girl
Like a river meets the sea
Stronger than it’s ever been
We’ve come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then.


I can just see you with a baby on the way
I can just see you when your hair is turning gray
What I can’t see is how I’m ever gonna love you more
But I’ve said that before.


Now you’re my whole life now you’re my whole world
I just can’t believe the way I feel about you girl


Well look back some day at this moment that we’re in
And I'll look at you and say and I thought I loved you then
And I thought I loved you then...


I went through life not knowing a relationship could be so good. And, when you don’t know that something better exists, it is easy to settle for what you have. Praise God that Cole came into my life. God had higher expectations for my happiness then I knew to have for myself. I will always consider Cole the greatest gift that God has ever given me. I wish I never had a day without him, however, if that were true then I wouldn’t know what a blessing it is now that he is in my life.
Thank you Cole for being my husband, best friend, and comedic relief.  Thank you for choosing me!

4 Years Down, Forever to Go:)