Let Me Introduce You...

This post is going to serve two purposes...It's my entry for Day C - Credit a Friend on the ABC Blog Challenge, but it is also serves as an opportunity for me to introduce you to my best friend.  My husband, Gordon.  (One more of my blog ideas (I've yet to introduce) is to do a "Let Me Introduce You" theme where I "introduce" you to the people who I love and who love me)

This is my husband, Gordon.

He is my best friend.

I met Gordon on the Lt. Robert E. Lee Riverboat.  In September of 2001, I was living with my older sister, Stephanie, in Belleville, IL.  She was beginning a new venture as the office manager of a restaurant (Mesquite Charlie's - originally from Branson, MO) that was opening inside the Lt. Robert E. Lee Riverboat on the Missippi riverfront.  I had gotten a job as a server & in preparation for the opening, there was a lot of side work & odd jobs that needed to be completed. 

Lt. Robt. E. Lee

Stephanie & I would go to the boat on a daily somewhat daily basis to do things like refinish chairs & barstools, wash dishes, clean & clean & clean...in preparation for the restaurant opening.  I would hear my sister and some of the other people working on the boat talk about this "Gordon" guy...but I never laid eyes on him.  A few days prior to opening, we (all of the employees on the boat) were required to attend Coast Guard Training.  Stephanie & I arrived late for the training (not really late, just a little) and so we stood up at the front of the room kind of facing everyone else.  It took me a whole two seconds to notice the incredibly handsome guy sitting in the front row of tables.  He had the most gorgeous smile I had ever seen on a man.  I was immediately attracted to...his mouth!!!

Coast Guard training didn't last too long that morning.  I asked my sister after training that day who "the guy with the big smile" was.  She replied, "Oh, that's Gordon".  I was like, "THAT'S Gordon?!?"

I could tell you a very long story...or I could shorten it up for you...I think I will shorten it, because while I believe that every little second of how "we" came to be is super exciting and important - it may be a little boring for you all.

So...Needless to say, Gordon and I hit it off right away.  Like I said, I was immediately attracted to his beautiful smile.  We were both smokers at the time, so the occassional smoke breaks that we took at the boat allowed us to find plenty of opportunities to sneak off together to get to know each other better and talk...and get to know each other better.  Our courtship moved quickly - our first "date" (drinks at The Rocket Bar & the movie Pitch Black after work one night) was on October 9, 2001.  Gordon proposed January 29, 2002 - after a marathon day of Law & Order episodes (that was probably the last time either of us watched it) and while I had facewash all over my face.  We were married on September 29, 2002.  We would have gotten married sooner than that, too...once I hooked him, I wasn't letting go.

Our first photo (that we have a copy of)

Our Wedding Day 09/29/02

But who can blame me? Not only is he incredibly attractive (if I do say so myself...), he is quite the catch.  He's the smartest person I've ever met.  He knows something about everything...actually,  he knows a lot about a lot!!  He remembers exact details from things that happened a long, long time ago.  He speaks with such passion.  He loves with all of his heart.  He is "crazy" loyal. 

He's an amazing artist, quite the chef, and a very talented self taught musician (he plays several instruments and can sing too!!).  He can glitch out a video game like it's nobody's business.  He's a capable handy-man and HVAC technician with superior customer service skills.  He is an incredible salesman.

He's taken care of me when I couldn't take care of myself.  He stepped up to the plate when I was put on bed rest unexpectedly during my first pregnancy.  We are talking I couldn't do ANYTHING and he did EVERYTHING.

He is my EVERYTHING.  He is an incredible father to our children.  He is focused and committed our family.  He thinks about the big picture - and the little picture.  I've learned so much from him.

So...back to the ABC Blog Challenge - For Day C - Credit A Friend - I am giving credit to God, for my best friend, Gordon.  He is truly one of Your masterpieces.  I am so blessed to have found him.