flashback friday- a little bit of our story

Okay- so I'm copying my sister Corrine and my step-sister Nancy . If I can stick to it, you'll see a nostalgic post every Friday, if not, then this is it! I was also tagged by Becky to do this- so 2 birds, 1 long and boring stone! Read on if you dare:

About Wade and I:

• How long have you been together? About 8 years. We met for the first time in June of 1999 and started dating soon after. We were engaged Nov. 1999 and then married April 21, 2000!
  
• How long did you date? About 9 months-ish.
  
• How old is he? 31 (2.5 years older than me!)
  
• Who eats more? Really, I think it's a tie-although I snack more!
  
• Who said I love you first? He did, but I was so ready to and waiting for him to say it before I did. I still remember where we were- 7 Peaks Golf Course on one of our frequent walks to find solitude from our singles ward apartment building in Provo (Centennial Apts anyone?).
  
• Who is taller? He is, but not by much, about an inch
  
• Who sings better? We're pretty equal- We sing church hymns, but I don't think either of us really consider ourselves singers (I do love the little ditty's he makes up to serenade me when we're goofing around at home).
  
• Who is smarter? Do you even have to ask! He pretty much takes the cake in all areas except for spelling and writing/composition stuff. I pride myself on being an excellent speller/editor.
  
• Who does the laundry? I do since I'm home way more than he is. Also, I think I'm a control freak about it, so just back away from the washer! Seriously, he did all the laundry when I was on bed rest with the twins and I know he is still willing to help out.
• Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do, but it changes whenever we move the position of the bed. (He likes to be furthest from the door- don't ask me why???)
• Who pays the bills? I do all the finances and spend all his hard-earned money!
  
• Who mows the lawn? Lawn?
• Who cooks dinner? Mostly I do but Wade excels in this area! He is a very good cook and usually helps out on the weekends. He likes to try new and different recipes.
  
• Who drives when you are together? Usually Wade, which I prefer. (I prefer to do the bossing rather than be bossed!)
  
• Who is more stubborn? Wade (sorry honey!)
  
• Who kissed who first? Wade had a very strict rule about never kissing a girl first. But I held out and was the first ever to make him break his rule (so he tells me)!
  
• Who asked who out? Funny story, he called me to ask me out on a date, but during the phone conversation, before he could ask me, I invited him out! So does that count as a tie?
  
• Who proposed? He did
  
• Who is more sensitive? I am.
  
• Who has more friends? I think I do here in Tennessee. I have mom friends, but working 12 hour+ days, he doesn't really have time to hang out with people.
  
• Who has more siblings? I do - I have 3 brothers and 1 sister, he is the youngest of only 3.
  
• Who wears the pants in the family? It's pretty even (Is there any other answer?)
  

I dated a few guys over the years, but eventually I would just stop calling them or they'd stop calling me. I just lost interest after a while. But it was different with Wade. He was the first guy that I never lost interest in. He piqued my interest: A good-looking guy, talented athlete on the BYU soccer team, a "smart" guy who was studying chemistry and dedicated to education and serious about pursuing a higher degree, a harder worker holding down a job while studying full-time, a guy who was confident and had plenty of dates, but who was nice, even to the girls that weren't so good-looking, and he was interested in ME! He still has my attention, although I'm not so good at showing him. I don't know how I ended up with such a great guy, who I've grown to know much better over the last 8 years. I love what I see in him even more as a husband, father, and provider for our family.

Here's a fun photo of us during the "early years." Sorry, no dating photos- that was pre-digital camera and we haven't scanned any into the computer! April 2001- Cristi's BYU graduation
Wade was 24 years old and I was 21 (1 month shy of 22, yes so young) in this photo. Newlyweds, we had been married for 1 year almost exactly when this photo was taken.