Today is Randa’s and my 10th anniversary.  Ten years ago today, in Bellmead, Texas, in front of our families and friends, we pledged our love to each other.  We exchanged rings and vows.  We took lots of pictures.  And we began our life together with dreams of a wonderful future.  It’s been a good ten years.  We’ve moved from Hewitt to Seguin to Alexandria, VA.  We’ve had three beautiful daughters expand our family.  We’ve continued to love each other and haved stayed steadfastly committed to each other.  We’ve experienced some of our dreams, and as we celebrate our first ten years together we are excited about what the future is going to hold.

Today, we exhanged cards and small gifts.  Tonight, we went to Applebee’s to celebrate.  Why Applebee’s?  Let me tell you a story.  I was a seminary student and part-time youth minister who had just about given up hope of finding that special woman.  In fact, I had decided to stop dating for awhile, since my most recent experiences had not been too pleasant.  One of my youth parents/workers asked me if I’d be willing to go on a blind date.  She and some of the youth told me all about Randa and encouraged me to meet her.  They all said she was a cute, nice, strong Christian woman.  She was an English teacher.  She was smart.  She had even lost some weight recently.  (Their salesmanship skills could have used a little work.)  But, they did seem to really think we would hit it off and I said I would meet her.  I met Randa on a blind date on April 5, 1998.  We had lunch at Applebee’s in Waco with two other couples we both knew.  We had a good time.  We went on our next date on April 11th and the rest, as they say, is history.

Here’s some pictures from tonight:

We also enjoyed (after dinner) some free doughnuts at Krispy Kreme, because today is not only our anniversary, but it is also National Doughnut Day.  It was a good day and night!