Our Fifth Anniversary

Anyone that knows Katie and I knows that I am one lucky guy. I can still remember the shock and disbelief on my friends' faces when they found out she actually agreed to marry me, and I can only imagine the stunned silence as they all drove back from the ceremony a few months later, on June 6, 2003.

If I haven't already bored you with the story of how we met; how I almost died trying to impress her with my lack of fitness; how she broke up with me multiple times; how I had to fight off would-be suitors and friends from stealing her away; how Chap Stick brought us back together; and how on the day I finally decided to throw in the towel, she decided that she was ready for a serious relationship...then you're in for a treat the next time we have dinner.

For now I'd like to share with you my eight favorite things about Katie.

#1 Katie Makes Me Be a Better Man

I've been trying to live up to the kind of man she deserves since the first day I met her. I remember exactly how I felt that day. I realized in that moment that in order to even have a chance with her I'd have to step up and live my life constantly trying to improve and grow. That's how Katie lives, and anyone close to her better do the same.

#2 Katie Is Beautiful

Let's be honest, she's easy on the eyes. There's nothing quite like the feeling of knowing that your date is the prettiest girl in the room. And I know it's cliché to say this, but she really is beautiful on the inside as well. People love being around her, she's compassionate and she puts everyone else's needs before her own.

Total. Package.

#3 Katie Is Adventurous

In what you'll soon see as a recurring theme, Katie is the Yin to my Yang. I'd much prefer to hold tightly to life's railings while Katie doesn't even think twice. I think this is a product of her growing up with two daredevil brothers that expected her to be just as tough. She's the first one to jump off the cliff and the last one to back down from a challenge.

#4 Katie Loves to Travel

She lived in South Africa for a summer before we got married, and since then we've gone to Mexico twice, Costa Rica, Brazil, Malta, England, 17 US states, and most recently Washington DC, Philadelphia and New York. She's no homebody and her adventurousness makes travel exciting.

#5 Katie Comes from an Amazing Family

I married into a family of supermodel superheros. It makes holidays a little intimidating. In all seriousness, Katie's parents and siblings made me feel like family from the start. I love when they visit and when we visit them.

#6 Katie Will Be an Incredible Mother

Katie is like the Pied Piper, sans flute. Kids love her and she completely understands them. You know how some people just "get" stuff? Well Katie gets kids. She knows what they need, how to constructively interact with them, etc. I can honestly say that our kids will probably take over the world or cure cancer or something equally awesome because of her.

#7 Katie Can't Sit Still

Seriously, it's like she's on drugs. She is always active, always doing. I'm amazed at what she can do in a day. On Saturdays when she works, it's all I can do to get to the couch and put three NetFlix movies in the DVD player, but on her days off? She'll run five miles, clean the house, go grocery shopping, write a Sunday School lesson, and then go have lunch with friends. Even when she sleeps her body doesn't stop, emitting enough heat to push me all the way to the other side of the bed.

#8 Katie Will Be Fun When She's Old

I don't see Katie as being the type that's going to slow down as we get older. Everything I like about Katie keeps getting better with time. I can only imagine what the next five years bring.

I love you Katie! Thanks for five great years and here's to five more!