Guest Post: Nell: All Love

We're kicking this series of guest posts off with the lovely Nell.  She blogs about life as a Missouri mama of 3 exceptionally handsome little boys at Casual Friday Everyday, and now she's added a new blog, Crunchy Pea, to her accomplishments.  Nell has got to be one of the friendliest, most genuine bloggers out there, so do pop over and say "Hello!"

I dreamt about my husband last night.

Don’t you just adore a good, happy dream that involves your better half?

When mine shows up in my dreams it starts my day off being even more in-love and appreciative of him.

Today I watched him play with our baby and smiled to myself with deep joy in my heart. Every time I look at my baby boy I see my husband.

The eyes, the smile, the eye lashes, the teeth, the hair… he is a spitting image of his Daddy and it melts my heart.

After being married for nearly eight years, and being together a total of 12, you might think the love could have faded a bit. Sure, the excitement of ‘new love’ is gone, but the respect and loyalty and friendship have only grown.

I think about us, when the kids are all grown and out of the house, and day-dream about traveling the world with my sweetheart. I think about lazy afternoons sitting on our porch, drinking coffee and reading the paper together.

I think about hikes in the woods with our dog, and vacations together to our favorite place ever… Branson, Missouri. Not a happening place for most people, but it holds love and forever for us. It’s where we eloped and got married. Branson will always be so special to us.

I have to laugh when I remember the actual wedding day. You see, we printed off directions to the wedding chapel from our home in Kansas City. What we failed to realize was that Branson was past the little chapel in the woods. So the directions were backwards.

We drove around the countryside for what seemed like forever, searching for this little chapel in the woods. We drove up into, what felt like a mountain to us, and navigated tiny little roads …

Not only was I frustrated and afraid we’d miss our wedding, but I have to admit I was beginning to get a little freaked out by how ‘country’ it felt. Almost like we might hear a banjo playing at any moment, part of me swears I did!

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, my husband-to-be announced the mistake we’d made. Of course I blamed him. What self-respecting, totally upset bride-to-be wouldn’t have? It got a little heated in that little car of ours. All because of my frustration and inability to control my emotions sometimes. Okay, so I admit I over-react a bit too often.

And then we pulled into the drive-way of where forever would be said and none of that mattered anymore. It was so cute and perfect for us. Out in the country, in the woods, a tiny little old log chapel. A preacher, a witness and a photographer. Music on a tape deck and a few candles lighting the room.

I’ll never forget that day. I’ll never forget Branson. Or the McDonalds food we grabbed for lunch afterwards!

My husband and I have a beautiful friendship. We’re kindred spirits.

I adore what we have together and adore the little men that came from our love for one another.

I had a feeling I’d end up marrying my high-school sweetheart. And I did.

All love.

Just love.