Today I have spent a little more than 40% of my life with this man right here. 12 years…144 months…626 weeks…4,383 days…you get the idea. It’s a long time.
But you know what? I still like him and life together doesn’t feel like a drudgery.
{Photo by Coeur de La Photography}
We started dating 12 years ago today. We were high school sweethearts who somehow found each other early in life. I still remember falling in love with this boy while we on the slopes of a mountain when we were practically babies. We gradually became friends as we were forced into being chair lift buddies and over time friends turned into something more. I had no idea that this would be the man I would spend the rest of my life with, but I’m so thankful that it turned out to be him.
He saw me through some times when I was unsure of myself and who I was. He never wavered in his loyalty and he constantly challenged me and pushed me to be the best that I could be. Sometimes it wasn’t very pretty, but he believed in me even in the moments when I didn’t. That’s one of the things I love most about him. Craig truly is what 1 Corinthians talks about when it says, “Love never fails.” – he is that kind of love exemplified.
So we grew up together…
And then we said I do…six years in on the most magical day in December as the snow fell in the background. We promised to love each other in good times and bad.
We lived together for the first time and did “grown-up” things like getting our first dog and having lots of stupid arguments while we figured out how to cohabitate and I learned how to cook things that didn’t come out of a can.
Over time our bond grew as we brought our sweet Fern Winter into the world and I got to watch Craig become a daddy and fall so deeply in love with our girl. I fell even more deeply in love with him as I watched him love her well. We had some hard times that first year as we worked out all those new parenthood kinks, but over time we came up for air and realized that we were stronger than ever.
Now we’re about to embark on a new adventure as we add a baby boy to the mix and I’m just so thankful that I get to take on this new adventure with a man who is completely perfect for me. Not perfect, but perfect for me…and I know he feels the same about me.
12 years of doing life with my best friend has been wonderful and I can’t wait to take on the next 12!
Happy (dating) anniversary Craig!
Love,
Lauren
Congratulations! 12 years is a long time and you’ve had so many wonderful adventures together. Here’s to many, many more
Awwww, that is so dang sweet! I love it! Sounds like a wonderful love story! Good for you two! 🙂
Aww you baby Hartmanns! Congrats on 12 years!
This is so perfect, Lauren. Seeing the love you two have is inspiring, and it doesn’t feel cheesy or trite–it feels real and whole. Thank you for sharing this, it really touched me today. Hope you guys enjoy your babymoon!!
12 years… wow… such a wonderful post and what lovely photos! to see how ‘younger’ you were and how you’ve become such a wonderful ‘young’ couple.
Happy dating anniversary and happy cruise! 🙂
Happy anniversary you guys! We’re in our 6th year and if we are still as happy as you guys seem in another 6 years, I’ll be stoked :o)
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This truly is so sweet. You guys are a beautiful couple and it always shows! Praying that God really blesses you guys in this new journey of adding another baby and that you grow even stronger and more in love!
You two are such a wonderful couple and this is such a sweet post! I love all the old photos, it’s so fun to look back and remember how far you’ve come! Thanks for being such a great example of how much fun marriage can be 🙂
I love this! Happy 12 years! I met my husband when we were practically babies too, and he’s still my favorite person to hang out and do life with.
P.S. Congratulations on your growing family! What an exciting, beautiful season of life!
I love hearing your “Love Story”! Sounds a lot like mine and my husband’s as well. High school sweet hearts and we are also welcoming our second little one in April. I really appreciate your blog and the kindness that you have for your family really shows through in your writing.
Take care and happy dating anniversary!
I hope you’ll have a great life with your family to share it with everyone!
much loves