Twenty years ago today Rich and I embarked on quite the journey. We eloped. I remember it like it was yesterday....
Rich and I had gotten engaged when I was in high school. He had graduated and joined the Navy. He proposed Christmas Eve. I waited for him to return. We didn't set a date. Two years was a long time of not being together ((even though he flew home every couple of months, even for my high school dances)) and we wanted to take our time adjusting, etc. Then on April 1st ((yes, April fools day)) he asked me to marry him all over again. We had been in a fight, I even broke up with him... If you know Rich you will know that he doesn't stop until he get's what he wants. My family was gone camping for Easter and I was home alone. After he asked me to marry him he told me that we were all set. We had everything we needed... like an alarm clock, a bed, a TV, and a car. We loved each other and it was time........so we both worked our swing shift at work, and headed out about midnight. We drove to Elko, Nevada. The next morning, April 2nd, 1994 we were married. One of the happiest days of my entire life. It was just the two of us... after we were married we went back to the hotel room to.......... watch the big game. It was March madness! I have always known my place, ha-ha. :) I remember trying to take 'cute' ring photo's, and other pictures too. I need to find those. That evening we went gambling for the first time ever. I was 19, he was 21. I was so afraid of getting 'busted' that I stuck out like a sore thumb. I even leaned up against the button that turns the light on top of the slot machine, letting the workers know you need something. This guy came over and asked me what I needed... I was so nervous. After I told him I didn't need anything he said, "Please move off the button then." He then turned it off. Ha-ha. We were so young and naïve! BUT we had everything we needed... I mean that 13 inch TV and alarm clock should have held us for awhile.
I will skip all the details but my mom was ticked! My dad brought out the wine, and his mom offered a surprised congrats. We lived with my mama for 3 weeks ((turns out we did need a few more things, like a place to live... details!)) We then rented in Roy for 3 months before buying the house RIGHT ACROSS the street from my mom. We did end up having an open house to celebrate 'us' with our family. I wouldn't change it for the world. I really need to find all those pictures!
I know I married this man twice, but tomorrow is my anniversary. Twenty years ago I became Mrs. Thompson. It almost seems like a life time ago... driving in the night, heading to the courthouse. I would change a few things, but never would I have changed marrying this man, on this day. I love you Richard Blake, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY.
We have two more anniversaries.. ;) May 30th we were sealed and September 5th we were re-married. I celebrate them all. Heck, we still celebrated our January 12th high school anniversary. It's a love thing!!
