17 years of marriage and 21 years of being best friends

I look back over the years, 17 years ago. It seems like a long time and yet it feels like yesterday. I moved out to California to date Ryan, right after his mission when I had just turned 21 years old I moved to Cali that summer). We had a LOOOONG courtship. I laugh thinking back hearing one of my friends say, "Ryan s*&t on the pot or get off!" You get the meaning, marry the woman or let her go. I am grateful that we had a long courtship because if gave us time to really get to know one another. We talked about many things in our lives as well as hopes and dreams. In the back of my head I wonder how long this courtship would last.
Ryan was living in San Francisco working for his friend. I drove down on my days off or he would drive up to Santa Rosa, about a 2 hour drive. One night he had timed the lights on the main street of San Fran so that if I went a certain speed, I would hit green lights all the way. It was wonderful. I learned to drive a stick on those hills. Some nights were overwhelming and stressful others were victorious! One of my favorite spots is Fisherman's Warf and Pier 39. I love seafood so being down there was like putting a woman in a chocolate store while she's pms (I know TMI! LOL). I enjoyed people watching, shopping and eating Ghirardelli chocolate. Apart of me will always have San Francisco~~
I remember my engagement night. I drove down. We dressed up, I wore the dress up above (FYI...that picture was taken at at a New Years Eve Party....in 1992.). We drove to the piers and boarded a boat called the Hornblower. We went out onto the bay. We had dinner, dancing and beautiful scenery. It was so romantic!! Later in the evening as we were landed to shore Ryan said he had another stop. We drove up to the Oakland Temple. The temple sits high on the mountain and overlooks San Francisco. We found a side entrance to get on the grounds, the temple was closed for the day. Security stopped us before we could jump the wall but let us onto the grounds for a short while. By this time I had idea of what might be happening but you just don't know until it happens.
He sat me in front of the temple on one of the water falls or maybe I on a bench. He knelt and shared his thoughts with me then came the question "Will you marry me?" By now you know what my answer was....YES!!
It's been 17 years and yet it still feels like yesterday. I did marry my best friend. These years have not always been easy. But we stuck together. We never gave up on each other. I am so grateful to have him in my life. He is a good father, husband and friend.
Ryan, I love you. Happy Anniversary! Thank you for all that you do for our family.