~ I was a 19 year-old college sophomore with dreams of teaching English. And dreams of getting married and having lots of babies.
~ I was enrolled in such demanding classes as "Playwriting" and "American Film" (which had a lab with it, the lab being to sit in Calvin's mini theatre and watch a movie each week.)
~ I was just getting back from my dorm retreat. Go Rooks VanDellen!
~ I was moments away from going on my first date with my future husband.
It's amazing to me to look back at the last 10 years. I don't think I'll ever experience a decade in my life where this much has happened, this much change. I've gone from being a teenager to knocking on the door to 30. Ten years ago my concerns were maintaining scholarships and getting my papers in on time. Now I'm responsible for two other human beings. Back then I survived on Pop-Tarts and the dining hall's french fries, the only food that looked edible in my picky mind. Now, my palate has greatly matured, and I have actually learned to cook. Miracles do happen.
So much has happened since September 22, 2002, when Ben and I sipped Italian sodas at the Kava House in Eastown and strolled through downtown Grand Rapids talking about our lives, our likes, our hopes for the future. We've grown up since then and together experienced many good days, and some not so good ones. But through it all, I'm thankful every day that this introverted running machine, seemingly so different from myself, asked me out. Happy 10 Year Dateaversary, Ben! Here's to all those memories!
