What's Your Love Story?

I haven't always been a fan of Valentines Day.  I'm still not a huge fan.  I don't like the pressure for men to purchase specific items that supposedly show their undying love.  Now, to be fair, my love language is NOT gifts.  Flowers, jewelry, candy, stuffed animals - none of those say, "I love you forever" to me.  I'd rather have a date and just spend time with Hubby.  In fact, our Valentines Day celebration is coming a day early.  We're going window shopping and out to lunch and later to a dinner and jazz concert.

How did you fall in love?  How long have you and your spouse been together?  What was your wedding like?  I love love stories!  Please share yours!  Here is a brief overview of ours.

Hubby and I met in college.  I was a sophomore, he was a freshman.  I hated him.  Loathed him.  I was immature and too good to deal with freshmen. He was just a little bit arrogant and full of himself musically speaking.  Fast forward a year.  I had matured a bit.  Hubby had become a Christian.  We were forced to sit next to each other in Symphony Band.  He stole my French horn mouthpiece almost daily.  One day, he was sitting on the wood bench in Cogswell hall.  He winked at me.  That was it!  We've been together ever since.  Shortly after that wink, we had our first date.

I remember our first Valentines Day weekend.  Hubby came over to visit at my apartment.  We snuggled on the couch and watched a random tv show.  I remember it was about relationships and the science behind long-term, monogamous relationships.  I remember hubby saying to me, "This gives me ideas for the future."  That same weekend, he locked me in my bedroom and cooked for me - a 5 course dinner made up of different parts of a cookie bar cake.

Two years later, Hubby proposed.  He took me to a fancy dinner on the Jersey shore followed by a walk along the inlet by the lighthouse.  We sat in the lighthouse gazebo.  He played worship songs on the guitar and we sang together.  Next, he played me a song that he wrote for me and then he asked me to marry him!

A year later, we were married.  On my college graduation day.  I don't recommend that.  It's a LITTLE stressful!  I went to the small departmental graduation in the morning and got married in the afternoon.  Hubby was supposed to be there - he was graduating with his first degree in August but could walk in May - but opted to not go.  The professor who was officiating had to ask, in front of everyone, where he was since we were getting married that day.  He agreed that it was best for us to not see each other until the wedding!

We have been together for about 13 years and have been married for 10 years this May.  We have had our ups and our downs.  It always amazes me to think back to our dating years.  I didn't think I could love him any more.  Now, all these years later, I am amazed that I continue to love him more, day after day.

What is your love story?