High School Sweethearts

Today is Brad's and my dating-versary. Eight years ago today, is when our relationship officially began. Eight years! Can you believe it? That's a long time. That's basically 1/3 of my entire life.

It was nearly a decade ago when he called me on the phone and asked me if I'd "go steady" with him. Naturally, I laughed and called him Kevin Arnold with that 1950's dating proposal. But when he responded that he didn't want it to be some silly high school relationship, but instead a real, forever love, I was speechless and, of course, agreed to be his girlfriend.

That's the moment when forever began. The butterflies in my stomach assured me that my life would never be the same. From February 24, 2002 to February 24, 2010, Brad and I have never not been together. We never broke up, never "took a break," never dated other people. We have been together, consecutively for eight years; a feat of which I am very proud.

Being high school sweethearts is fun. It's fun to have memories of the same home town. It's fun to have been named the Cutest Couple of the Class of '02. It's fun to have high school prom pictures with each other framed in our house. It's fun to have senior portraits taken together, (These are actually engagement pictures, taken in 2004. I didn't have our senior pictures in digital format.) and remember the same graduation speech. It's fun to have known each other before anybody else that we know now, knew us. It's fun that we have a past together, as we continue to look forward to our future.

Brad is not only my high school sweetheart. He's my soul mate. I knew it at 17, even while my parents were a little leery, that he was the love of my life. My one-and-only. My steady. How is it that a girl like me can get so lucky so young? He truly is the greatest guy in the whole world, and the best husband any woman has ever had. What a blessing.

Back to School

Brad has decided that the suit-and-tie, sit-behind-a-desk-all-day-long kind of job is not for him. He says that he is "so over" selling people debt at the bank. Actually, he's over selling anybody anything. After three different job attempts, it has become glaringly evident that sales (and working on that terrible commission) is not his cup of tea.

He wants to be active. He wants to be involved. He wants to interact with people. He wants to make a difference. He wants to do something that actually matters.

So, without further adieu, I am very pleased to announce that my incredible husband is going back to school to get his Bachelor's Degree in Nursing!

He's currently attending Nashville State Community College to get some prerequisites out of the way. Since he got a business degree at Freed-Hardeman, he needs to catch up on many of his sciences (Anatomy and Physiology - Yuck!). Right now, he taking a couple of evening courses and an online class. The plan is for him to complete one more semester of prereq's before he officially enrolls into nursing school.

Ultimately, he'd like to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist (CRNA) and would ideally work at Vanderbilt Hospital here in Nashville, and rake in the big bucks. ;) The BSN and RN status are intended to be his foot in the door of the medical community.

Speaking of those big bucks, this career move will hopefully better enable me to stay at home once we start our family. That perk was one of the main selling points for me to give the green light on the job switch.

He has already resigned from his position as Financial Adviser at First Tennessee Bank. But anybody who knows Brad, knows that he will not just sit around with any spare time on his hands. On top of his nearly full-time student schedule (11 hours), he is working a couple part-time jobs. He has moved up to an assistant manager position in addition to his delivery position at Domino's. (Which is especially nice, because even though the hours and shifts got heavier, he got an hourly raise regardless of whether or not he's delivering, so it's in addition to his regular tips. Holla!) He has also become a certified Life Guard at the local YMCA. He's definitely working hard to work his way through school and achieve his goal.

I honestly could not be more proud of my husband. He will make the best nurse in the whole entire world. I trust him with all of my heart, and know that his decisions are made with the greatest consideration of the future of our family. I definitely want a happy husband; with or without the big bucks.

I can't believe how much God has blessed me with such an incredible man.

I love you, honey, and respect you so, so very much!