Today 10 years ago..I married my BFF 8/22/09

WOW!! Where did the time go?
I can't believe that 10 years ago we eloped in Folkston Ga.Because of being married before I had to have my divorce papers and well that was something I didn't know and a thing of the past.And didn't carry them around in my purse.
We went to a little wedding chapel here in Kingsland and found out we had to have blood taken..OMG I about passed out thinking about it.He let me go first so I didn't chicken out.And we told them that I had been married and that brought up another problem.So we were sent to the courthouse in Folkston to be sworn in and married there.No big deal...so off we went.It was a rainy day and I had worked midnights at the SO back home.Got off work at 8am and drove over to be with B.And had talked about getting married before he left for sea.He had just come back from deployment and we had set the date before he left.He got back on Dec 18th and had a bachelor party that I have only heard stories of.Something about singing I'm a Little tea pot and some boobies in his face...that's enough info for me.Knowing I was marrying a sailor I was prepared for the stories..LOL
We get to the courthouse and I had to take an oath swearing I was divorced and then we were directed to a little office in the back.We went in and there was an old old old couple in front of us eloping too!! It was so sweet and we both looked at each other and AWWWed!! We hope to be that couple one day.
One thing that sticks out in my mind most about this day was the little ole man that married us.He couldn't hardly stand up from his chair to deliver the ceremonial words or pronounce my name right but he made us husband and wife.We still talk about the "little ole man" and how he said this or that *making things up of course to fit the situation so that it plays out better in our little game* like you have to snuggle to my cold feet and warm them up too..that's what the little ole man said!!
We then went on our married way.Back to the geo bachelor barracks and drank some champagne.And I got drunk off of ONE GLASS! Passed out and that was the end of that...and he still loves me for it :D Never mind the fact that I had been up over 24 hours.. LOL
I can't believe how the last 10 years has made me more independent than I already was.I have done things I never thought I would.I have moved around the world,unpacked a house or 2 on my own *not without protest of course but when hubby's gone to sea you have no choice*,celebrated birthdays,anniversaries,holidays and many milestones alone.Not that I am happy about any of the above but it is what I have to do.Marrying someone in the military isn't for everyone.I believe that we are stronger than the average person and more understanding when he can't make it home for supper or the kids special events in life.We are all armed with cameras and video cameras to capture every small moment that they miss.
Rambling aside..I love my husband more today than I did when I met him 10 years ago! There were people who said we wouldn't last....! But look at us now :) We didn't have a wedding and do I regret it???.. not one bit!! Would I do it all over again..YOU BET!

Here are a few pictures of us from the past...I love this man so much! I guess I never really knew what love was until he found me.....And I am glad he did.
I love you BLSH ... To infinity and beyond!! Thank you for everything you do for me and have done for me in the past 10 years.Especially making me your wife and BFF! Here's to many many more!!

August 22 1999-The day after we met for the first time!!Little did we know that ESH would be born 5 years later on this day!!

August 22 1999-Getting ready to take the USS Pennsylvania back :( I love my hubby's smile!!September 19 1999-First time B came to Perry to visit me!

I wish I were a better blogger..I just can't find time in most days to sit and blog.And when I do think about it I am so far behind I don't want to play catch up..I SUCK! There I said it.. I feel much better now.

Here are the ages and relationships to the people involved
Girl 1-was around 7
Girl 2-was around 2
Boy 1-was around 3
Mom
Dad
Nanny-A's Mom
T-A's Dad
EX-my EX*has to be included here..*

Anyways...Here is something I thought that I would share.
When I was in high school I witnessed my neighbor's mother shot by her husband.It was around Christmas *a day or 2 before* of my Sr year in school.
I had known the family for a long time.I was BFF with a cousin of theirs.
The day started out typical...The kids *3 of them* were back and forth between my house and their house getting candy canes.The youngest 2 knew that we had them on the coffee table and girl 2 and boy 1 thought it was fun coming over and getting them when they wanted to.Girl 1 would come behind to make sure they were ok.
Their Nanny was staying with them because she had separated from her husband.
Mom and Dad left to take Mom to work and Nanny was there watching the kids and folding clothes.
Then we see Girl 1 dragging Girl 2 and Boy 1 behind her telling us that her papa was beating her Nanny inside of the house and they were in the bedroom.She was scared to death.The smaller 2 had no idea what was going on but were crying.Girl 1 said there was blood all over and she had to go back and get her Nanny.EX got my mama's pistol because we didn't know what was going on.I got on the phone to call 911 to have them send someone over.EX was standing just out the door .. I had the kids on the floor in the kitchen at the back of the house.I was dialing and went to step out of the front door just in time to see Nanny and T in the driveway.He had a shotgun and hit her in the head with the butt end of the gun.Then pointed it at her and she raised her hands to protect herself and he pulled the trigger point blank range.I was on the phone with dispatch when it all happened.It all happened so fast.There was no noise around me.I couldn't hear any yelling,cars,birds.Nothing..no sound at all.I heard the gun and that was it.You could see there was yelling but couln't hear it.I told the dispatcher she had been shot.Send someone now.I checked on the kids.Girl 1 was crying but comforting the babies.She was so strong to be so young.But she loved those 2 like she was the mama.
T stepped over Nanny and went inside.We didn't know what was going to happen next.It seemed like hours before anyone showed up.He brought out a blanket and tossed it over her,went to his truck that was out by the road.Put on his hat,grabbed a ciggarette and sat on his tailgate waiting on the police to show up.When they did he turned around and put his hands behind his back.By then both yards were full of police,ambulances and people.We were questioned about what we saw and asked if we wanted to seek counciling because of what we had witnessed.Now looking back I wish that I had.I had nightmares for a long time about T showing up at my mama's house in an orange jumpsuit and staring at me through the windows.
Dad came home and then Mom was brought back from work..It was all so chaotic.
We were later told that there were more shells for the gun one for each child.That T had made the remark that if he would take the things that were most precious to her and that was the 3 grandkids.And then he would take her life because he couldn't have her so noone would.There was so much said from both sides of the story that we never knew if anything was true about the extra shells or converstaions that happened weeks before with Girl 1 and Girl 2 at a park.T had asked them if the knew what Heaven was.And that there were birds and flowers in Heaven and they soon would be too.
They moved from the house and T was sent to prison.I went to several depositions and was questioned over and over about what we witnessed.It was horrible reliving it over and over.

The other day I got a message from Girl 1.She was like my little shadow.We went swimming at her house all summer.She drew me pictures all the time.She would get home from school and come straight to my house.She was the sweetest!!

Here is what she said:

"thanks for your words of encouragement and i never told you this but thank you so much for being there that day nanny got killed if it wasn't for you being home i don't know"


Reading this brought tears to my eyes.I was speechless.It touched me so much that I felt the need to blog about it.She is now 25 years old and it meant so much to hear this from her.I do know that we did the right thing and I would have protected these 3 little ones over again.I know if it weren't for us being there they might not be here today.


They all hold a special place in my heart.And she is the one who was smart enough to get the 3 of them out of the house and to safety.