My Dearest Kevington

Sunday marked the 13th birthday of Kevin's that I have celebrated with him. It had no fanfare. He got his celebration the day before with the commemoration of the BYU v. UTAH football game. I know he enjoyed it because he spoke maybe 20 times to me the entire game. Thats EXACTLY what I expected to happen, really it was good to see him enjoying and soooo into one of his favorite things...College Football, especially BYU. He was born with BYU fanaticism in his blood. (His parents met at BYU, in the fall of 1978. They were married shortly thereafter, and he was born in Provo during the fall of 1979. Both occurred DURING football season. :)) He loves BYU football. Enough said.

I thought that since it was just his birthday, and I have been a witness to nearly half of all the birthdays he has ever had, I will do a highlight of some fond memories.

Sixteenth Birthday!---First birthday I was around for, but we didn't really do anything. I think my brother, his best friend, spent the night or something... The week following his birthday he got his drivers license, what a proud kid he was. He was the FIRST of our group of friends to get his license, subsequently he became "the driver" for the next 3 years of High School. Whenever there was a big dance he drove the group of us. When we had early Saturday morning rehearsals in Lodi, CA with Troupe Cabana, he drove. When we took the trip to San Jose his Senior year to play at 'Great America' with a car load of friends, he drove.


Eighteenth Birthday!---First birthday of his where we were actually a 'dating' couple. (I had finally turned 16 four months earlier.) Also the first year I played a large contributing role in organizing and throwing his party. It was a surprise party! ;) The guys attacked him in his bed while he was sleeping with the girls watching from the door. He really didn't appreciate that, but he did appreciate the waffles, french toast, cheesy eggs, hot chocolate and juice waiting downstairs. It was an all day event that leaves a smile on my face when I think about it. :)

Nineteenth Birthday!---After waiting 5 weeks for his mission call to come in he received the word, just days before his birthday, that he would be going to Taiwan Taipei Mission. His parents went out to Utah for Thanksgiving to help prepare for his mission. He went to the Mount Timpanogos Temple for his first time, ate dinner at Chevy's, and called me for a few minutes that night.


Twenty-third Birthday!---After 16 days in the hospital Leah Rose was born and on the 18th day in the hospital she and I were released. That day was also Kevin's Birthday. While I was in the hospital and it was getting closer to his birthday he informed me that he didn't want to share his birthday with Leah. So he got his birthday wish and Leah was born 2 days before his birthday. ;) That night after being released from the hospital we left Leah with my Mom and went out to dinner at P.F. Chang's with his parents. Crazy, huh? It tasted sooooo good!!! :)

24, 25, 26, 27---We have gotten together with family and friends to eat and play games. There was usually some football watching as well. :)

Twenty-eighth Birthday!---This year we invited over every one we could think of that was a BYU fan to watch the BYU v. UT football game. We had a Mexican night and Kevin's favorite dessert, Brownies. (Thanks Mendy for bringing those. :)) His favorite part was the football game, ofcourse. :) It was fun having a houseful, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

I love my husband with all my heart. We have grown together on many different levels and I am grateful for his loving kindnesses towards me and our children. Looking back on all the years we've been together it is AMAZING and unfathomable sometimes. Are we really this old? Are we really this young?!? (I am sure some of you are thinking that. :)lol) Kevin IS my best friend. He has been for nearly HALF my life, that's weird and mind blowing all at the same time.

Happy Birthday Kevin! I love you and look forward to many more birthdays with you...