4 years

Yesterday was a fun day. Ricky and I celebrated our four year anniversary. It's crazy to think how much has change and how much has stayed the same in four years. 

Since getting married, Ricky has worked at two different high schools, become actively involved in his umpire association, asked to join the college association, and learned a lot about photography. In the same time, I have completed my Masters degree, advanced to doctoral candidacy, proposed and collected my dissertation data, and accepted an internship position as a Behavior Support Specialist. 

We now live over 2200 miles from home and have made at least 9 airplane trips back to Arkansas for Christmases and weddings (and coincidentally Kris Allen day). We became parents of two dogs (and have made a total of 3 trips to the emergency vet), met new school/work/taekwondo/umpire friends, vacationed in Hawaii and on the Oregon coast. We have become god parents to Abby Shachmut. Since we've been married, I have learned to snow ski, and Ricky has learned to fly fish. We've bought and sold a mini cooper and now own a CR-V. We've paid off my car, the washer/dryer, our bedroom furniture, and several computers. 

In four years, Ricky and I are as at ease and comfortable with each other as we have ever been. We get along and try not to sweat the small stuff. Our marriage is strong, and we are still a great fit for each other. It feels nice to know I've found and am spending each day with the person God made for me. Being married and living with Ricky has been fun. I can't wait for the next 4 years, and the 4 after that, and after that and after that...

Now a summary of yesterday. The day started pretty much like most others. Ricky had a morning meeting and I headed to the gym and had some errands to run. Late yesterday morning I got the following email:

Sometimes you ask " why do you love me?".
Your laugh
Because you let me rub you
The way you kiss me when you leave in the morning
b/c how excited you get about owning a house with me and being a mommy someday
The way you support me with my overwhelming obsessions
b/c you appreciate my cooking
b/c you love our dogs
b/c you always put me first
b/c you care how you look to me
b/c your hair is so pretty when straight and curly
Boobies(you know me I had to go there)
Honestly there is a lot I could say. Mostly because God created you for me and it just feels better than anything else I could imagine.  Love you I do.

When I responded with a thank you and a mention of my teariness in response, he responded, "Oh yeah, I forgot to mention how you cry." :)

We received some nice congratulations from several friends. This one put it into perspective and was one of my favorites:

billie jo & ricky ro

congratulations on completing your undergraduate in marriage. i wish you much luck as you pursue further endeavors in the field. 
it seems like yesterday you guys were just freshman, just learning the ropes, jumping into cars & speeding all over the place. and laura got so sick that time...man...time flies ;-). 

Have a great day!
-Kyle-

 When I made it home to let the dogs out for a few minutes, I found a nice surprise in the fridge--An edible arrangement. Even better than flowers! :)

Cooper cracks me up in this picture. He was excited, too! ;-)

We met for dinner at one of our favorite places, "Hole in the Wall BBQ." This restaurant is totally us--low key, locally owned with regular workers who know us, southern comfort foods including sweet tea and cornbread, and great food. Ricky arrived first and let them know we were celebrating our anniversary. I walked in to lots of congrats and smiles. We ordered our favorites from the menu, and in southern style, we met some nice business men who were in for a quick trip from LA (one was a transplanted Bostonian, which was fun). They quietly bought us an appetizer (hot links) and asked questions about Eugene. It was a great visit. The waitress brought us a dessert on the house, which we shared. She also took our picture with their little mascot pig, which was kind of funny. 

A few more pictures from 4 years ago.