Has it been 5 years already?

I can't believe it's been 5 years since Wade finally convinced me to marry him. ; ) I thought it would be fun to share some of our favorite times together...

We met on January 12, 2003 in our singles ward in St. George. I was teaching the Gospel Principles class and was elated to see Tim, a friend who was not LDS, walk into the room. When Tim stepped aside, I saw this really good-looking guy with him, and I welcomed them both. After we introduced ourselves, I asked Wade to give the opening prayer, just to put him on the spot. : ) Wade participated with enthusiasm in my lesson, and told me afterwards what a wonderful lesson it was (and how hot I looked...well, he was thinking that!) From that day, we both knew there was something special there.
Valentines Dance, February 2003 Giving each other a classic high five because we were still in the buddy stage. What a fun time in our life...throwing oreos at each other, eating home-made French meals he cooked for me, doing baptisms for the dead at the temple, serving as ward missionaries together, studying at the library, talking on the phone till 3am, and always insisting that we were JUST FRIENDS. No one believed us though, and after 5 weeks of knowing each other, I finally let him kiss me when he told me he loved me.
"D" Dance at Dixie State College, March 2003. Wade's sporting my dad's old green barbershop tux, lookin' pretty hip.

May 2003

On June 24, I was teaching at a summer school for children with Down Syndrome. I was in the middle of reading a story aloud, when Wade walked into the room and stood in front of me. I asked him with surprise, "What are you doing here?" He didn't say a word. He just got on one knee and looked over at little Suzanne, who had a box in her hand. She opened the box, and there was a ring. Then I looked at him, back to the ring, and finally my eyes fell upon him again. "Catherine Lang, can I take you home?" was his question for me. We had talked before about how we knew Heaven is our true home, and I knew I wanted to be with him forever. So of course I said, "Yes!" Then we kissed and all the kids said "ewww, gross." It was hilarious!
Even though we were engaged, I had been planning on serving a humanitarian mission for 5 weeks in Quito, Ecuador that summer. So I left, had the most amazing experience there and grew in so many ways. When I arrived home in August, Wade was at the airport waiting for me with a dozen roses.

Our wedding announcement

On October 16, 2003, we were sealed in the St. George Temple for all time and eternity.

the happy couple

For our honeymoon, we went to Catalina Island, Disneyland, Los Angeles Temple, and just enjoyed the Southern California beaches.

Bahamas, 2004. Wade wonders why I insist we kiss each other every time we cross a bridge. I think it might have something to do with my favorite movie, Anne of Green Gables. ; )
Graduation day, May 2005. Wade received his Associates of Science Degree, and I received my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education.

The day after our 2 year anniversary, in October 2005, Emily Eileen was born. Two weeks later, we celebrated Halloween together. I was an angel, Wade was a Frenchman, and baby Emily was an M&M.

The summer of 2006, we lived in France as a family so Wade could participate in a study abroad program. We finished off our European experience by visiting our good friends, Jon and Cherie Dick, in London, England.

March 2007, Jonathan Wade came into our lives. Having a newborn and a 17 month-old toddler felt like having twins at times. And with Wade still in school full-time, we were busy, but happy.
Father's Day, June 2008. I love this moment.
Wade, we have experienced so much together, and I'm so thankful to be on this journey with you, babe. Happy 5th Anniversary. I love you!