28 years ago, on a rainy March evening, Cam proposed. Have I told the story already? Maybe. We were still in college, I was just 21. He was working overnight and morning show on the radio station and finishing college. I was working at Red Lobster while going to school. He borrowed a tandem bike and surprised me with the bike and proposal (after I grumbled about going for a bike ride when it was misting/raining.) We skipped the actual bike ride, instead we went for a limo ride to my parents’ place and out for supper. We went to the same restaurant as our first date, TGIFridays. At the time, they had amazing thin onion rings and broccoli cheese soup. Perhaps this wasn’t the best “date food,” but it was tasty.

In 1995, we didn’t have social media or instant proposal announcements. I called (from my landline phone) everyone I could get ahold of, but several people weren’t home. I got to tell the proposal story on the radio show the next morning. We started planning an August wedding. Here we are, 28 years later – still together.

There are some things I’d like to tell my 21 year old self… not all related to marriage. Some of these I think or do, and some I wish I would/would have done.

• You’re not fat. Seriously.
• Yes, you should travel.
• Actually have date nights, even when you get older.
• You’ll be a good mom. Stop stressing.
• Self care is not selfish, it’s important.
• You won’t feel like a great wife, but you will make it work.
• Your “Rice a Roni days” will give you an interesting perspective. You’ll get through it.
• Vegas is a good idea.
• Let your spouse make you laugh.
• Your kids will be very different from each other, but you’ll love them endlessly.
• You don’t need to justify your choices to anyone else.
• Get chickens sooner, they will bring joy.
• Trust your intuition.
• Keep reading stories.
• Go for more walks & runs. Take in the scenery.
• Forgive others, but also forgive yourself.
• You’re stronger than you think.

We’ve been through a lot in the last 28 years. Hopefully we will have many more adventures together. Thanks for being with me on this journey, Mr.Frueh. Love you.

Peace be with you on your journey of enough.