I posted one of these before so I figured it would be fun to do again.

An excerpt from Jimmy’s journal. Tuesday, August 19th, 2008.

“Man, time flies. The other day was my 19th birthday. I don’t think I will ever forget it, but I’m going to write about it anyway. Jen took me to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. She isn’t super comfortable driving on the freeway yet, but she did it and did it well. Went through the Larakeet cage, saw all the fish, sargeant major, and got to go into the 15 minute 3D show for free because we were a “cute couple”. After I took her to Bubba Gump Shrimp (now potentially my new favorite restaurant) where I popped the girlfriend question. I felt like the luckiest guy. Spilled my drink all over myself before I asked, but I was still the happiest guy in there. Next day was the first time I actually “held” her hand and wow. I don’t even know what I could say without sounding too much like a woman. I just started ROTC yesterday and pursuing my dream of being in the Air Force, and I’m excited. But it won’t be easy. I just want to be with Jen right now. All the time.”   

I remember that excitement in our relationship too. I felt like I was 15 again. After almost three years of marriage that excitement is still there, but it’s a different kind. More mature, deeper, real. I love looking back and reminiscing on those feelings, but I prefer the way things are now. The surrealism and giddy-ness of it has faded, yet the utter and complete joy of it has increased. I pray that our marriage will age like good wine…the older it gets, the better.

I should post some of my journal entries sometime. They’re slightly more embarrassing, though.