18 years ago I turned 18...

Mark and I on my 18th birthday 18 years ago. You can see the roses in the far right of the photo.
I apologize for the poor photo quality. Our scanner isn't working properly.

This morning I was trying to put my 36 years into perspective and I realized that 18 years ago I turned 18. It was a really lovely birthday and I remember it well including many small details that I don't usually remember with other birthdays. It was a time when I was still wrapped up with blissful innocence. My grandmother, mother and father were all still alive. I remember the calls and visits from family and friends. Though, the most treasured memory of that day was when my boyfriend, Mark (now my husband), gave me 18 long stemmed red roses with the attached promise to pray 18 rosaries for me. It was probably the best gift I've ever been given. 

Also, it should be of no surprise that it was around this time that it really hit me that he was going to be *the one*. :)