In Ten Years

We are a little under the weather around here. While I try not to puke and pretend to keep order in the blue house, I am reflecting on the last ten years. Ten years ago this week, I entered the Missionary Training Center as a Mormon Missionary. In so many ways it is unfathomable that an entire decade has passed. I think about my mission every single day. Memories of people, places, and feelings. My mission changed who I was, shaped who I became. I loved it. LOVED it.

It is equally unfathomable how much has happened since that time. Taylor and I got married, we both graduated from college, I enjoyed a short but joyful career as a teacher, and we have four (FOUR!) children.

I remember one night shortly after I returned from my mission in Ohio. It was July. Taylor and I were planning our wedding. After Taylor dropped me off from a date I left him a hilarious voicemail that went something like this {absolutely sobbing/blubbering/choking on tears}: "I just wanted to say that I can't believe I get to marry you! I mean, all I ever wanted was to go on a mission and marry Taylor Cropper and I just can't believe I got all I ever wanted!"

The other day I sat in bed with Clara. I finished nursing her and sat her up, facing me, her back leaning on my legs. That phone call came to mind as I looked at the daughter I had long hoped for.

And the tears started again.