Four years ago Jeff and I went on our first date. And exactly one year after that he proposed. After the first date he then proceeded to drive three hours each way almost every weekend for the next year and a half to see me. And when I expressed concern about how much he was putting himself out he told me, "I am not going to be lazy in love." Indeed.

I can't believe all of the things that have happened in this short time. And one of the many reasons we celebrate this date as well as our wedding anniversary in October is because it was so important to everything that followed. Obviously everyone remembers their first date but that night really changed our worlds. And that is because it brought hope and the very surprising possibility of true love during a time when neither of us had any reason to believe in either. And that has sustained us through what has been very a challenging past four years and many more hurdles that as a blended family we can anticipate in the future. Over that four years besides the infinite blessings that night has brought to me as an individual it has brought so many more to my family and my life.