I'll love you forever....

Just over seven years ago a lady in Burlington told me that her daughter was coming up for the summer and that I should take her over to the college ward to meet some of the other kids. I thought, "Why not?" So, her first Sunday in town I invited her to go to church with me. Her sister was in town, so she declined. Not wanting to seem like a quitter, I asked her to go with me the next week. She accepted. It turns out I was supposed to sing in church that Sunday.....I figured if she still wanted to hang out after that then my chances were pretty good.

Well, I went to pick her up in the 'Golden Eagle' (the very cherry, gold, '85 Chrysler Newport I was driving at the time) and I guess with the car and the singing, she couldn't resist... :) I took her to a dance at the institute a few days later. It was a fun dance, but I never got to dance with her because every time a song got over there were three or four guys standing there trying to ask her to dance. I played the cool card like it didn't bother me, but I could feel some jealousy creeping in. Finally, on the second-to-last song, I stood right next to her and the guy she was dancing with....I don't know about them, but I felt a little awkward. As soon as the song was over I asked her to dance. The song was 'Love of a Lifetime,' and I knew it was fate.....well, I at least got my hopes up.

We started dating a little while later. She made me smile every minute I was with her. She was so fun. So fresh. And she just made me very happy. I had never felt that way before. I decided I didn't want all those feelings to end. We were married August 16, 2001, and everyday I thank God for having sent Camille to me.

We started going to school together which was a lot of fun. Camille got pregnant later that fall, and our first son Dylan was born the next summer. We moved to Laramie so I could finish school and our second son, Wesley, was born there. We loved Laramie (well, the people a lot more than the weather). We finished school and moved back to Burlington, where our third son, Nathan, was born. Now we're in Powell and loving it. We have seen a lot of ups and downs with the stresses and fun of school, work, trying to have and raise children, and figuring out this 'dance'.

Camille definitely got the short end of the stick, but I am so lucky to have her. She is the most beautiful, hard-working, dedicated, loving person I know. She inspires me and helps me be a better husband and father. I've come to the conclusion that I was either a very special person in Heaven and Heavenly Father rewarded me with Camille for my good works or I was a lost cause and He sent His very best angel to try and save me. I tend to believe the latter.

Camille, you mean the world to me! I will love you forever and like you for always! I have loved the wonderful seven years we've spent together and I am really looking forward to the rest of eternity. Thank you for putting up with me! HAPPY 7th ANNIVERSARY!! I love you!