Mike and I have been married for 15 loooong years. We were 19 when were married. We came from different religions, different cultures, different backgrounds - my mother said it would only last 1 year, 2 at the most!

I confessed to him later in life that at 19 I only married him to get out of my abusive alcoholic dad's home.... he understood.

Weve been though the normal events that stress a marriage; job loss, the raising of 3 kids, numorous surgeries, moving, the near death experience of our 9yr old (that was at the hands of Mike), and of coarse, always being broke......

Lastnight we were able to "get away" and go to a restaurant - ALONE :eek !

At the restaurant he kept looking at me and telling me how good I looked.

After a couple of times, I knew he was sincere (lol).

But, IT happened on our way home...

holding my hands and looking at me he told me something that made me cry (still does)....

he told me that he was more 'in-love' with me at that moment then any other time in our lives together.

Isnt that beautiful?

So I want to send words of warning out...

Caution: I share this moment with LBT to warn you of the results of Adjustable Gastric Banding - MORE love and romance in marriages are linked to this surgery!!!!

Paula - You look so beautiful! Now we all understand why your DH kept looking at you!

Beautiful picture Paula, I'm sure your DH is quite proud of you, just like we are.

I agree that pic is awesome. I actually saw the whole pic and the whole darn family is gorgeous including her hubby. Just next time have him smile when the pic is taken.

Paula..

such a sweet story.. thanks for sharing it with all of us..sounds like you got yourself a wonderful man!

Well, I want to see the WHOLE darn picture!!

LOL - ya'll are ALL so full of it !!!

It was time for a new avator... and thanks to Penni I have one. The other one was taken pre-band.

This one is kinda dark - cant see my face much (actually thats a good thing). I didnt realize how dark it was until I added it as the avator. Hopefully I can get a better one soon.

Penni - that one picture was the best out of like 4 family photos that were taken in a sequence. Each one had a kid acting silly. So by the 4th picture Mike's patience was GONE, he was having a major stressed out moment!!! Did you notice that baby's pants were unsnapped???

My sister took one of just the two of us lastnight, maybe it will be a better one. If so, I will post it.

Thanks everyone. Thanks again Penni!

Sounds like Mike enjoys picture taking as much as I do! (NOT)