FF

Five years ago yesterday I married my soul mate Gregory. I never really thought I would find someone who could and would love me with all my quirks, my neurotic behavior at times, and most of all my quick temper. I knew from our first date, I would marry him someday. We've been together over 8 years, and 5 of those have been married. I can't believe how fast time goes by, but everyday that passes, I thank God for bringing him to me.

I think about where my life was going and what my plans were and how we got to be together and I truly know it was always in God's plan for us to be together. About a year before I met Greg, I made a commitment...a life long commitment to join the Army. I had signed up for my first term for 8 years...6 active and 2 in the reserve. I remember my family, friends, and my recruiter telling to "think it over", maybe a choose a smaller number of years. I wasn't going to half-ass my commitment...I was going to retire from the military. This was my plan, nothing was going to get in my way. Fast forward about 3 months, I'm 1 freakin' week away from graduating boot camp, and I blow my left knee out. We're talking complete reconstruction. I was on medical leave for awhile to rehab back in my home state of Washington. When I returned to boot camp (Ft. Leonard Wood, MO), my surgeon flat out told me he would never release me back to active duty. I had ruined my knee, and he refused to let me keep going. I was devastated. Absolutely devastated. My life plan had just gone to shit, and I didn't know what to do. I felt like a failure. I felt like I didn't have a plan. As part of my release, the VA paid for my education, and I found myself moving from Washington to Phoenix. As I got settled, I found a job and on my first day I saw Greg. I thought he was cute, but I was so shy that I just let it go. A mutual friend later set us up and the rest is history. I look back now and everything makes sense. My knee, my departure from the Army, my move from Washington...it was all God's plan to bring me closer to him. As cheesy as it sounds, he really does complete me...he really is my soul mate...he really is the love of my life. I feel so blessed and so lucky to have him, because I know some people in this life will never get to feel the love that Greg and I share. He makes me a better person, and for that, I will be forever grateful.

So FF, here's to us, and to the many more anniversaries we'll share. You are my rock. I love you more than you could ever know.

Love,

Sugar Bear