My husband and I met in High School. He pursued me. . .started talking to my brother about me, and then David would come home and tell me about it. The memory still makes me giggle like a school-girl when I think about it.
Our first date was a double date to the movies, and then to Pizza Hut.
Pizza Hut continued to be a favorite place to go~ we always ordered the same thing:
Cheese Lover’s plus with ham and pepperoni. (!!!!) I don’t think either of us would be that eager to have a piece of it today!
I was 17 and he was 19 when we started “going out”. . .I was a senior in H.S.
Two years later, we were married on September 16, 1995.
I was 19 and he was 21. Our honeymoon was in Virginia.
Our first house was a 3-bedroom ranch. We lived there for about 3 years.
We moved around for a little bit before finally settling down in our current home.
We have five children: Jacob, Ethan, Grace, David, and Caleb. We think having children is fun but hard work.
We are best friends. We can get each other laughing so so hard.
Rich is a very hard worker and is good at just about everything he does. I mean, really, sitting here I can’t think of anything he has failed at. He as a zest for life–he’s raced cars and played semiprofessional football since we were married. That was a few years ago. Now our hobby is our family. 
He is a great Dad. I do the little things and he does all the big things with the kids. He also does some little things, like changing diapers and putting the kids to bed at night.
He’s my rock. He’s stable. He balances me and my emotions out so well. He protects me and loves me.
He is proud of the fact that he is a country boy at heart. He grew up on the farm and could do all the chores, including driving the tractors, at a young age.
I think the first time I knew he was the one, was on our first date. He was driving me home and started singing along to the radio–my heart skipped a beat–he had a nice voice and wasn’t afraid to sing! We are constantly humming/singing/whistling together, in a absent, “don’t really know we’re doing it” sort of way.
He has climbed the corporate ladder aggressively and is now at the point where he is content. He loves his job, He is the Vice President and chief claims officer of an insurance company. We don’t have any worries financially but we’ve had many years of living paycheck to paycheck. He loves being the provider in our family. He loves being able to spoil me, like when he bought me my piano for Christmas this year.
Our biggest problems result in the fact that we are both firstborn. We can both be opinionated and I can hold my own in a debate with him. I admit, it’s fun to banter back and forth at times. It adds spice to life. I am very stubborn. I’m afraid I am not submissive all the time. But, he doesn’t mind.
Sometimes I get jealous of his work, and start getting moody about that. I call his blackberry, “Ms. Blackberry” as a joke. I miss him during the long days. If I go for a walk, I think, “I wish Rich was here right now.” But, I know that he loves us more than any job on earth. . . . .
Rich is a go-getter. I would be content if things never changed. He adds so much to my life because he pushes me to get out of my comfort zone at times. I never dreamed that I would have such a full life!
My favorite outfit on him is his dark jeans and gray sweater. He also looks really good in a suit and tie.
His favorite meal is pasta. Spaghetti, lasagna, etc. He would rather me not make baked goods, because he tries not to eat that stuff~but, he loves my chocolate chip cookies and I always save some of the dough for him, too.
He does a good job instilling a solid work ethic in the kids. You should see him get the kids to clean the house, it’s amazing. He has them running all over the place! And they never seem to mind it.
In the evenings, after the kids go to bed, we like to sit on the couch together and watch tv. The show we watch most often is the Andy Griffeth show! LOL Most of the time he rubs my feet. The best times for us is at night, when we finally get into bed and snuggle under our fluffy down comforter. I always smile into the dark and think, “oh, if only I could freeze this moment”. It’s so warm and safe in his arms.
By the way, he can sleep anytime anywhere and that is something about him that really bugs me. I’m jealous, actually. I can only sleep under precise circumstances!
We’ve been married for 12 years. I don’t feel worthy of the man God has given me as my husband. But, I am so grateful and happy. I love my life, I love being Rich’s wife.
I did this post because I had someone kindly ask about my husband. I don’t normally write much about him because he is so close to my heart. Please know that after my relationship w/God, Rich is my “everything else”, I love him so much. The best part of the day is when he gets home. The best day of the week is Saturday, because we can spend the entire day together, doing whatever we want. . . . . .
Good to be Home 
What a beautiful husband, and what a beautiful marriage! (Well, I guess your husband is handsome, not beautiful )
You two are perfect for each other, and you are such a Godly example for your children, and even for people like me. Thanks so much for sharing a tiny part of what is so close to your heart. Rich is an excellent husband and daddy, just like you are an excellent wife and mommy
(my favorite picture is the one of him on the ground with the two boys cimbing all over him )
OK, that has to be the sweetist post ever…..you always get my eyes to stinging…. I don’t know which is sweeter…all the beautiful pictures of you and your husband or him and your kids. I just love seeing a man loving on his wife and kids! I am doubly sure that you bless him too How wonderful is that! Thank you for sharing your heart and your precious story with us. Lord bless you all! Jenny
This is precious and honest and lovely. Your husband is as lucky to have a gal like you as you are to have a guy like him. This is a great post Shanda.
oh my…that was sweet! you have a handsome husband and a beautiful family! I can see the love between you two!!! thanks for posting that!
A happy marriage is one of the greatest gifts you are giving to your children. I am glad to hear your story. It is fun to remember the starry eyes and fast pulse from the early years…and thankful that it can still happen. You both were blessed when you met each other. September 16, 1995….that date is going on my calendar.
Super neat post! I forgot that our anniversaries are only two days apart. Ours is September 14. I was 19 Cerwin was 22 when we got married. We are also both first-born, and yes that does create some interesting conversations. Althought after being married 44 1/2 years we have learned how to not “push each others buttons.”
This was lovely.
This was incredibly sweet. You two always look so completely comfortable with each other and very much in love.Josh’s favorite meal is pasta and he can fall asleep any time, anywhere, too. And, yes, it makes me jealous, too.
A beautiful post…I love to see a happy , healthy marriage!!! It’s such an awesome example in our world filled with divorce, and “grass is greener on the other side syndrome”. You two look wonderful together, definitely meant to be! Your pictures are awesome…as usual too!Thank you for sharing a piece of your heart with us :)Blessings to you and your family!K
What a beautiful tribute to a super family man, a wonderful marriage, and a very happy family! Rich seems like the husband most girls dream of!
Absolutely beautiful Excellent post. Keep up the good work – you are worth far more than rubies. ~Pam.
Okay, this is so unfair that you’re making us like your family so much only to never meet you…. 🙂 Love your story and pictures — esp the ones of the boys climbing on Rich and them kissing him at the door. The one of your daughter in his lap is priceless too!
endearing and o, so precious. you are one very lucky lady and rich is very lucky to have a wife who loves him so much! 🙂
Oh Shan . . . I love this post! I love the photo’s and listening to the way you love you husband. I’m glad you shared! Love, Lish
what a beautiful post! I love all the pictures, you certainly are one lucky lady!!
What a sweet tender hearted post. God has richly blessed you, my friend.
What a precious tribute to your man. . .makes me wish mine were around to give a squeeze right now, but I’m home on Sunday morning with 2 sick kids and he’s at church/work with our other two. Thanks for sharing. . .
It’s so wonderful you have so many nice things to say about your husband. I can tell from your posts though that you DO deserve a man so wonderful. You both deserve each other and it lightens my heart to see you in pictures together and to read all the wonderful things you do for each other. I have a similar “how we met” story with my husband and it makes me giggle still. We’ve only been married ten years, but dated 5 years before that. I’ve known him since I was 13 and been in love with him, knew he was “the one” when I was 15. You inspired me to post pictures of the mischief my kids get into on my blog and now I’m feeling inspired to to post about my wonderful husband. Thanks for the inspiration!
You were indeed “made for each other”. Thank you for listening to my heart as it begged for more pictures of the “stud muffin”:)
all choked up here as I read your post. you both have been blessed with spouses you love and who love you.
I sure hope you print off your blogs for yourself. This is one that is a keeper 4-ever!This post was a wonderful tribute to a blessed marriage, family, and home. I can see God’s hand all over your life!
Beautiful post. Why is it men can sleep at the drop of hat? It’s just not fair I tell ya. 😉 (just kiddin)You have a lovely family and I enjoy getting to know you through your posts. Ok so how does he get your kids to clean like that? Will he share the secret? :DBlessings
Very sweet tribute ~
how refreshing to see a post of a woman honoring and adoring “her man”! when God’s divine order is followed, blessings follow too! just look at your life!
the hammock pic you you and rich is just adorable! …and i love the pic of the boys hopping on pop!
Oh so very sweeeeeeeeet!! Great pics!
Reading this post reminded me of the first letter you wrote me. Now that I have gotten to know you better, your love for Rich shines even more brightly. It also helps me not to be fearful about Bri at 19 being courted by Eric who has just turned 22. So many people tell me they are too young to make such an important decision, yet as themonths go by it seems so right. Please pray for them.
Dear God, Please watch over, protect and bless this precious marrige. In Jesus’name Amen
I am inspired by your post! I was just thinking of Greg, my dh being my best friend too. God has blessed you both very much!
What a great post. The pictures are excellent. It’s nice to hear about him, he sounds like a wonderful man, with a wonderful wife to support him in all he does.
Thanks for this post. It helps me to understand how my wife feels all the time. I thick you have very well put in words what she frequently tries to tell me.
I found your blog through my sister’s site, resolve2worship. I really appreciated your post and the dedication and love you have for your husband. blessings to you and yours, Abby~
What an incredible tribute to marital love as God designed it! And it is indeed refreshing to hear about such a love story… I pray for the same kind of relationships for my kids in their marriages. Thank you for sharing!
Shanda, you do have a beautiful family and a happy marriage. It is so evident how much your heart overflows with love for him. I know he feels the same way about you. I loved reading your story and I am so happy that God brought you two together, you make an adorable and happy couple.
sweet post~ every day is a good day to praise the man we love! :)love that seamist green shirt too – where’d you find it? i like the style.
I love this post Shan. And the one before it with the green. Oh and the one with the red lipstick too funny.
I enjoyed your post! I’ll have to remember that Ms. Blackberry thing… my husband has a mistress with the same name, haha. I’ll just fire it back at him when he taunts me about “Phil”, my huge body pillow that always makes its way in between us in bed. My hubby can sleep anytime, anywhere too… drives me nuts!
Hope it’s a great week!
It’s so wonderful to see a couple in love and leaving a wonderful legacy for their children in a world where marriage isn’t taken seriously by so many. Your anniversary is on my husband’s birthday! We too are “first-borns”. Lovely, refreshing post!
What a lovely post, Shanda! My favorite pic is the one of your hubby bending down in the doorway for some welcome-home kisses. So very precious! 🙂
I just love this post and its photos! I am really enjoying learning to know you and your precious family! I can unfortunately identify with the jealousy over his ability to sleep anywhere at anytime and my own need for “precise circumstances!” 🙂
Such a beautiful love story! Thank you for sharing it with us. -Kathryn
Shanda that picture with the two youngest boys and the puppy playing with R. in the grass is really really good! I gasped when I saw it, and leaned in closer to get a better look.
You know what I like the best about Rich that I have observed since…well how long have we known each other? If you need him he comes, if you are having a really hard week he takes off from work and spends the day at home. He does love hard work but I have seen that he loves you more! 🙂
This is such an awesome post! Thanks for sharing it. 🙂