9 years ago, tomorrow (Sep 12th), I married a fantastic guy. I am very lucky, and I knew it then. My wedding was like a fairytale for me, not so much because of the dress, the church, or the reception, but because I knew I was marrying a prince of a guy. We don’t have much money, we are not the perfect couple, we have different tastes in television programming and we have different ideas of comfort. However, what we do have is so much more than that.

He is my best friend, my comforter, my cheerleader, my lover, my rock, my gripe wall, my clown, and the father to my children. He’s not an alpha male, but he’s no pushover either. He ain’t George Clooney, but he’s hot to me.

I’m posting this a day early as I have a lot of running around to do tomorow, and tomorrow night we’re going out. Our actual anniversary present to each other happens a week Friday (we are going away, together, for two nights without our children *gasp*).

To my honey… thank you for nine adventurous years, and three beautiful children. May we continue this ride forever – I can do it, as long as you’re beside me.

Not that you’ll want to count the covers, but mine’s the 14th one in. I love it.

Immi tagged me for the Meme of Four. You answer the questions, add one of your own and pass it along. Here are my answers…and additional question:

Four jobs I’ve had or currently have in my life:
1. Office Manager
2. Waitress
3. Parent
4. Business Owner – skincare salon

Four countries I’ve been to:
1. Australia
2. USA
3. Mexico
4. Bahamas

Four places I’d rather be right now:
1. Mexico
2. Bahamas
3. Anywhere warm, with a beautiful sand beach, turquoise water, and a pool with a swim-up bar
4. On a cruise

Four foods I like to eat:
1. Lobster
2. Brie
3. Sushi
4. Raspberries

Four personal heroes, past or present:
1. Leroy Deland Goldsworthy “Goldy” – my maternal grandfather, my hero (and also a Stanley Cup winner, and Edmonton Hall of Famer for playing sports professionally for over 40 years in baseball, hockey and golf)
2. Joan of Arc
3. The next two are hard because I don’t really do heroes. My heroes are people in my real life, so… My husband.
4. My kids

Four books you’ve read or are currently reading:
1. The Crossroads Cafe by Deborah Smith
2. The Cinderella Pact by Sarah Strohmeyer
3. Adrenaline by Shannon Stacey (it’s a re-read, but in print form – woohoo!)
4. The Thorazine Mirrorball by Jack Maeby

Four words or phrases you would like to see used more often:
1. We’d like to offer you a contract
2. Your writing is superb
3. Yes, Mom.
4. We made a mistake on your bill. It’s actually a zero balance.

Four reasons for ending a friendship:
1. Deceipt
2. They are squids (from an article by Martha Beck in Oprah Magazine “..myriad sucking tentacles of emotional need. Like many invertebrates, squid appear limp and squishy—but once they get a grip on you, they’re incredibly powerful. Masters at catalyzing guilt and obligation, they operate by squeezing pity from everyone they meet”
3. Friends only when it’s convenient for them, but aren’t sure who you are when it’s not
4. Just timing I think – what’s that poem about some being here for a season?

Four smells that make you feel good about the world:
1. Coffee
2. Clean baby
3. Lavender & Lilacs
4. Freshly laundered sheets

Four movies you’ve seen more than four times:
1. Grease
2. Star Wars (the original – I can’t remember the episode # right now, but you know the one I mean)
3. Dirty Dancing
4. Sound of Music

Four things you’d paint if you were good enough to paint them well?
1. My children (er, their portraits)
2. Mountains and trees
3. Flowers
4. Big cats (lions, tigers, etc.)

MY QUESTION: Four things you haven’t ever regretted:
1. Marrying my dh
2. Having kids
3. Getting a tattoo
4. My ex-boyfriend (while I regret the years I wasted after he proved what a jerk he was, I don’t regret loving him. It helped shape who I am now. My husband, however, may regret that. LOL)

FOUR PEOPLE I’M TAGGING (if they haven’t done it already):
1. Shannon
2. Elle
3. Christine
4. Rhian