Gobble gobble!! and a love story

I loooooove Thanksgiving!!

My hubby and I met--gosh, actually 7 years ago TODAY! His younger sister and I were college buddies and fellow RAs and she said, "You should come to Thanksgiving with me and meet my brother. I think you'd hit it off."

Indeed.

Even that first night we talked and laughed--instant connection. We even had a DTR (Defining The Relationship) talk before the weekend was over, because we knew sparks were flying!! After both of us said, "I'm not in a place to commit to anything," we went our separate ways. But before we did, and unbeknownst to the other, we left each other notes the night before we departed, saying how grateful we were to have met. Then Sunday came and he called. I thought, "Hmm, maybe this wasn't just a weekend thing." A few days later, I blew out my birthday candles and said a prayer that "something" would happen between us.

A lot of IMing, e-mails and late-night phone calls ensued, much to the chagrin of my roommate! It was a few weeks before we saw each other again and--PHEW! Still sparks! We became a couple that night (Dec. 13) and were engaged on Feb. 23rd, three months to the day that we met. He made a special trip from Albuquerque to Phoenix to surprise me and propose that day.

We had a long-distance relationship for 6 of the 7.5 months we were engaged so our first year of marriage was definitely a get-to-know-you period! It was fun to show back up to Thanksgiving the next year as newlyweds!! Boy, was his family surprised because they, too, thought it was just a temporary infatuation.

And we've been married for over 6 years now with a 3-year-old and a baby due in May!

Every year, we've gone back to the very kitchen where we met, except the year that I was several days over-due with our son and couldn't stomach the idea of two two-hour car-rides or rushing back into town if I went into labor!

This year, we'll be back again. Our time there is always fun-filled and relaxing and this year, the kids should have more fun than ever, which means the adults get more time to visit and catch up!

Our Black Friday tradition is that all the ladies in the family (my two SILs, my "Other Mother," my Aunt-In-Law and my mom) leave the kids with the men and hit the local shops and antique stores in search of bargains and treasures. It is always a blast and yields a lot of lovely finds!

This year is extra-special because we're staying in a local B&B Thursday night (it's actually a manor, see the post here), then Friday my mom is taking our son home with her so my hubby and I can have Friday night and next morning (which is my birthday)together...aloooone. For the first time!!! Oh, I can't wait!!

In other news, my dad is "loaning me" his fabulous camera, because he got a new one, so you can bet I'll be taking some fabulous pictures of our lil' trip to share!!

I hope your Thanksgiving reminds you of all the blessings in your life--my cup runneth over!!

I'll let you know how my birthday goes, too! It's the 29th! :)

And I leave you with pictures of Thanksgivings past...

2005, five days over-due! We didn't make it out of town this year. I swear, eating all that good food helped put me into labor two days later! :)



2006, when our booga-boo was just 1 year old...



and fine-tuning his walking skills!



I love the scenery there!!



Us



2007 when he was two.



Playing in the fountain again.



Some chaos always ensues when it's meal time.



Me and my SIL with some of our antique store finds.