Photo courtesy Tanner Hawkins

Ten years is one of those milestones like turning 30.
I feel older just by saying the number.
Then when I start to add in the other numbers, like us being an “official” couple for 6 years prior to getting married, and dating 2 years prior to that (that’s 18 total for those too lazy to do the math), my head starts to get dizzy.
But I can still remember the exact moment that I fell for her.
We had just moved to town, my dad having accepted a preaching position at the Tecumseh Church of Christ.
On our first Sunday night after church I took a walk around town with the rest of the youth group.
I was 14 years old and getting ready to enter my sophomore year in high school.
She was 12 and getting ready to begin the 7th grade.
We were on North Oneida St., just in front of what used to be the middle school.
She turned to me and said something about that building being a “prison.”
Her blue eyes mesmerized me.
They were so bright, and blue, and full of life.
And I’ve never ever gotten over them (or that smile).
18 years later I’ve enjoyed getting to know what’s behind those eyes just as much as I enjoy looking into them.

1992