20 years of marriage!

This story is dedicated to my wonderful husband.......here's to many many more years together!

Once upon a time there was a young girl of 17 from San Diego:

And a much older man of 18 from Eastern Washington:

They both decided to attend Central Washington University in Ellensburg for their first year of college:

They lived in the co-ed party dorm called Barto Hall.  Cynthia lived on the third floor on the right hand side:

Robert lived on the left hand side on the first floor:

Robert was the roomate to one of Cynthia's childhood friends.  They met and became good friends but there was one problem!

Cynthia did not like facial hair at all!  So much so, that she didn't even see Robert as a potential boyfriend but only saw him as a friend.

Robert was a great guy.  He did everything right.  He told Cynthia that he was a morning person too (he wasn't) so that they could take an early morning history class together.  They ate breakfast together every morning.

They suffered through World History together with an elderly professor that said "um....." over 100 times during the hour long class.(Yes, Cynthia counted!)

Cynthia really liked Robert and saw him as a great friend.  Every morning she listened for the clopping sound of his boots as he approached her room in order to accompany her to the dining hall.

And, their friendship continued to grow....but there was no romance in sight.  Until one day, Robert overheard Cynthia talking about how much she hated moustaches and that she couldn't imagine dating someone that had one. 

Out came the razor!

Cynthia was truly surprised when she saw Robert the first time without a moustache.  Hmmmm.....Robert was pretty darn cute!

Robert invited Cynthia to attend a play with him.  He had assisted in creating the costumes as part of his work/study program and had received free tickets.  Cynthia was intrigued and wasn't sure if he was asking her on a date or just as friends. 

They went to see Present Laughter:

Cynthia noticed that Robert was behaving a bit nervously.  She wondered if he liked her a bit more than just as a friend.  She really wasn't sure if she liked the idea of losing his friendship since she knew that there was a risk that it wouldn't work out. 

And then, he reached over and held her hand.

Cynthia and Robert dated for the rest of the school year and were voted "Cutest Hall Couple"

Robert decided that he wanted to propose and began dropping hints.  Cynthia was determined to avoid becoming engaged in a scruffy dorm room and told Robert that if he had anything to "ask" her that it needed to be in a romantic place. 

Robert and Cynthia drove in the dark of night through the ice and snow for two hours until they arrived at a touristy Bavarian town called Leavenworth.  It was dark, still, and thick with snow when Robert got down on one knee and proposed to Cynthia.

The answer was "YES!"

And, so the planning began.....Robert and Cynthia were students with very little extra money so Robert used his experience from the costume department and began to make Cynthia's wedding dress.

And, then came the day in August 1991 that they had been waiting for.

They were married in a gazebo very similar to the one where they were engaged.

Over their twenty years of marriage, Robert and Cynthia have:

1. Given birth to 7 children
2. Adopted two children
3. Homebirthed two children-one very unexpectedly without assistance born into Robert's hands
4. Experienced the premature death of one daughter
5. Initiated the adoption of international twins
6. Lived in two apartments and bought and sold four houses
7. Became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
8. Rescued and placed countless dogs and cats
9. Cared for two grandmothers
10. Watched two adult children leave the nest and head for opposite sides of the United States
11. Made plans to rest on the porch someday absolutely smothered in grandchildren!