a journey of valentines

It was five years ago today

that my best friend asked me a very important question.

I gave him a very momentous answer.
We had started our journey together years before,
but we were now starting a new and amazing journey.

That boyfriend is now my husband,

he is now my children's daddy.
That journey took us on a road to becoming a family.

And that handsome man is still my best friend.

On Valentine's Day in 2005
we were celebrating our first one together
and were about to approach the one year mark in our relationship.
We were doing the 'long distance thing'
while I finished my degree in Scarborough
and he worked at his home in Preston.

On Valentine's Day in 2006
we had just signed the paperwork
to rent our first home together.
My lovely man was leaving Preston
to make a life with me in Essex.

On Valentine's Day in 2007,

we were in Paris.

It was actually a Christmas present

but we had a lovely day together

and went up the Eiffel Tower at night

when it was all lit up and beautiful.

My friends had convinced me to expect "the question".

I wasn't so sure

and I was right . . . !

On Valentine's Day 2008,

he planned a surprise day out in London,

he spoiled me rotten.

He asked.

I answered.

And the rest is history.

On Valentine's Day 2009,

we were in wedding count down mode.

Five months left until the big day.

We were excited

about showing our families and friends,

just how happy we were to be together.

On Valentine's Day 2010,

we were waiting for the keys to our first real home of our own.

We were newlyweds

but we felt kind of limbo

while we lived at my parents for a bit

and waited for our lives to really start.

On Valentine's Day 2011,

we had a one week old baby.

Life had turned upside down in the best possible way.

We were in love with our new roles as parents

and more in love with each other than ever

as we went through this enormous event together.

On Valentine's Day 2012,

we were days away from telling the world

that we were expecting another baby.

We had just celebrated a year as parents

and were feeling happier and more settled as a family

with each passing day.

In 2013,

we have nearly nine years together under our belts.

We have a lovely home and a full life.

We have two cheeky cats.

We have two beautiful children.

And we still have each other.

The journey we started

with that very special question

and that life changing answer

has been the best one ever.

We still sit together.

We still hold hands.

We still say "I love you" when we leave the other

or hang up the phone.

We're still pretty much head-over-heels in love.

A lot can change in five years,

but our commitment to that adventure hasn't.

I feel so lucky to be sharing my life with my best friend,

and I can never thank him enough

for all he has given me

and for all he does for us.

I love you hubby.

And thank-you so much for asking . . .