Sunday, April 18, 2010

Stitched with love.

It is always exciting hearing from you!  Thanks to all who have entered my blog candy draw.  I have been visiting all the sites you have shared with me and have even added a few to my google reader.  You have until the 20th to get your name in to win my stamp set called Take Three: Spring.

I am so excited today because my stamping friend Glenda Wyatt  is coming to visit me again!  She will be teaching a class in my city this morning and then stopping by this afternoon so we have planned to stamp together.  I can hardly wait.

Today's card is a special one.  Spring is in the air...and that means love is too right?  On April 19th, DH and I will have been together for 11 years (we've been married almost 10 now).  While most people don't celebrate the day they were "officially" a couple DH and I never take that day for granted.  And every year we make sure to tell each other what that day means to us often reminiscing about the things we did as a couple--you know before the marriage, the kids, the dog, the cat, the truck, the house, the bills, the RESPONSIBILITY!

DH and I have been friends since 1995 and officially started dating in 1999.  In friendship we supported one another through the ups and downs of life (and at the time other relationships).  One January (1999) I noticed his name on a blanket e-mail sent out by one of my friends and decided to send him a note.  It read: "I'm finally single and I am finally getting to know myself."  (I was in a relationship for years as not to be alone).  It wasn't long before I had a reply "I'm single too.  Maybe we should meet for coffee and chat."  A few weeks later we met for a few hours and parted ways.  We continued chatter over daily e-mails (would you believe I still have the entire stack of e-mails we sent back and forth too?).  A few of those e-mails led to "friends going out" and continued over the course of months...until that day in April, when I looked into his eyes and something changed.  An epiphany actually.  Upon realizing that I could spend the rest of my life alone if I had to I was willing to let a piece of my heart become attached to someone else again.  I still remember the restaurant we went to...that "moment of change", the conversation we had, the feeling I had within and "the kiss".  This was the guy I had been pushing away for years.  The one who showed interest in me.  The one who made me laugh. The one who challenged me.  The good looking guy that I could never tell I thought was good looking because I didn't want it to go to his head.  This was the perfect guy for me but the one I was afraid to let into my life because why should I be so lucky?!  Within 3 months of dating, he dropped to one knee at the end of the pier and asked for my hand in marriage.  It was all too quick and yet was years in the making.  The timing was finally our timing.  We were married 13 months later.  Life always has ups and downs.  And while the 11 years haven't been "easy" sailing they have been the best .  And while I didn't think it was ever possible, I love my husband more today than ever.  And that is why today's card is stitched with love. 




























SUPPLIES
Stamps: sentiment from Daily Designs Sentiments by PTI
Ink: Pure Black by PTI
Cardstock: Vintage Cream by PTI
Other: Paper from a book
Accents" Buttons by PTI, Floss by Bazzill
Tools: Heart Punch by Fiskars, Scor-Pal

INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Create card base 4.25x5.5.
  2. Score lines around the edge.
  3. Punch hearts and thread buttons onto hearts.  Adhere to card.
  4. Stamp Sentiment.

I hope you have a fabulous day.  Don't forget to enter the draw if you haven't already.

Hugs;
Alli

19 comments:

Erin said...

Beautiful card!

Debby said...

What a sweet story. Thanks for sharing with us. Your card is incredibly lovely.

ScrapbookDBA said...

You made me all teary ... I love your story! Your husband is a lucky guy ...

B said...

What a lovely story!!! Such a simple and lovely card too!

Sara Mac said...

Alli, what a wonderful story! I think it's great that you and your hubby remember that special day. Your card is so sweet. Love the score lines framing the front.

paperscissors said...

the evolution of your love is heartwarming...continue to share the laughs and the tears. the card makes a beautiful statement!

Amy said...

It's mine and my hubby's real anniversary tomorrow, April 19th. If you can believe it (which I'm sure you can't, wink-wink), we have been married for 24 years! I can't believe next year will be our "silver anniversary". I thought only old people celebrate silver anniversaries! I keep teasing my youngest son that he and his brother have to start planning the big party their throwing for us next year for our big one. He is not amused!!! Happy anniversary!

IamDerby said...

I love reading happy couple stories. My husband and I have been married almost 15 years and sometimes I feel like I am the only happily married person around. Nice to know I am in good company.

Christina said...

Thanks so much for sharing your story. My husband and I also remember the date when we became a couple, which will be 11 years ago this summer. I love to hear others' stories of how they met and fell in love! And what a sweet card to commemorate it.

debinicol said...

Allie, what a beautiful story. God bless the both of you!

Shaun said...

What a lovely card to go with a wonderful love story. Thanks for sharing.

Michele Gross said...

I'm so glad I got to start my day with your love story :) So sweet of you to share with us! My husband and I have been married for 13 years but together for 18 and we still celebrate both anniversaries too. The best part is I never have to remind him of either date :)

Diane Jaquay said...

Oh Alli, what a beautiful and special love story you and your husband have, made my heart sigh reading about it!! Thanks for sharing that piece of your life with us! Your card is so sweet and simple, I just love it! Love the addition of the score lines, they add a great finishing touch!

Glenda J said...

That story put a little tear in my eye - fantastic. Thanks for sharing. Funny I was just thinking last night - wonder how they met.

Great card too - love all the white space and the hearts are perfect!

Web Designing said...

I have learned a lot from your blog. God bless!

Merry said...

Such a beautiful card. Congrats to the both of you and wishing you many more happy years.

Ted said...

Alli, this is such a sweet story and the romantic in me wants to get teary-eyed but the 33 fourth-graders near me will prevent that. ;) Thanks for sharing the story and offering hope to all the forlorn! :) *hugs*

Susan said...

What a sweet story! It brought tears to my eyes. May the two of you continue your wonderful relationship forever!

Janice McDonald said...

What a great story, thank you for sharing!! It gives me strength that our 13 years of marriage can survive too as we were friends for many years too before officially dating...funny how that works out! Love the card too...perfect sentiment!