Ten years

E and I have been together for ten years. Yes, ten! Our first "date" was way back in 1999, when we were in high school. Another friend and I decided to take a day trip up to Park City for the day. We invited Naina and E to join us. No, it wasn't really a date, however, E bought me roses and some earrings, and so it was the day that we were finally official.

Now ten years later, things couldn't be better. E and I have finished high school, attended and finished college, moved out, bought a home, gotten married, and traveled many parts of the world in the last ten years. I wouldn't trade a single day for anything.

I've been working on this blog entry for over a month, scanning photos and such, so I hope you enjoy it. The next eleven photos each represent a year together:

This photo was taken by my parents in 1999, about two months after graduation. We had been together since Valentine's Day, but this photo was taken near to the day I first said "I love you" to E. We are both 18.
2000. I think we are being dorks at the zoo. Actually, I remember my mom taking this photo, and I'm positive we were being dorks at the zoo. We are both 19.
2001, again, taken by my mom. This might be my favorite photo of the two of us ever. I just love it.
2002. One year my family took a family trip to Florida. Since E had already been part of the family for so long, we took him along. We are both 21 in this photo.
2003. In early spring of 2003 E and I hiked Chesler Park for the first time with Ben and his old girlfriend. We adored it, and went back in 2008 (yes, I still have the same coat, which is also in the 2000 photo.)
In 2004 we hosted a Christmas party at our condo. We had been living there since 2003, but you really start to feel like an adult when you host a major holiday party at your house.
In 2005 my Grandparents took my entire family on a life changing trip to Tanzania, Africa. There, E proposed. I will never ever forget my days there, they are some of the best of my entire life. Here we are both 24, actually E turned 24 the day we landed in Tanzania.
2006 was the most wonderful year and the hardest year of my life. I lost so much that year including my grandfather, my parents' marriage, and a kitten to a horrible accident. However, it was also the year I married the man of my dreams in Yosemite.
2007. Remember this trip? I dropped my camera in the river? Yep, this was one three fantastic trips I took in 2007. E and I adored this hike, and might try to return this year. We are both 26 here, or maybe I'm 26 and E will turn 26 shortly.
2008. In 2008 E and I purchased a home, traveled to Japan and to Grand Cayman, and I lost my job that I loved. It was a fantastic and difficult year.
2009. This year is just beginning, but I'm sure it will be just as wonderful and interesting as all the previous years. I can't wait to spend each and every day with my love, my husband.
Happy Valentine's Day!