The beginning of Derek and I

I graduated High School in 2000. Aug of 2000, a friend and i moved into 3rd floor apartment. My parents had helped me move in all my big stuff then the "last trip" when i would finally stay in Sioux City my mom, grandma, and brother came up with the last minute stuff and to make sure things were settled. As we were carrying in our stuff, my roommate and i noticed a few eyes on us. There were 4 guys living in the basement of our apartment. There was one in particular that was very UPFRONT with us. He would come and hang out with us making sure we didn't need anything. He then invited us to our first college party in their apartment that weekend. That is where we met the other guys. We had a blast! And those 4 guys ended up being like family to us. We would cook supper for them as they would help with the cars or anything we really asked or needed of them. This was their 2nd year of college and knew a little more about the area and school than we did. My favorite meal was spaghetti night. We had a food fight through out the apartment building which led outside. It was fun til we had to pick up our mess ! 

My roommate started hanging out with one of the guys a little more as did i. Derek was the one who i meshed with the best. He was fun to talk to, always made me laugh, treated me like a lady, loved sports and we found ourselves having an easy time talking to each other about personal things. God and his family meant a lot to him, which is a plus in my eyes. He was open to admitting his faults and when I beat him in our competitive games. :-)

I will never forget the night he finally asked me out. . OMG it was quite the night ! I never gave him an answer that night. That next morning i had to go home, I brought this up to my mom and grandma and that i hadn't given him an answer. . they both smiled and said " Jackie, All you talk about is Kuch this and Kuch that ... it's clear you like him already! "

Our first date was a double date with our roommates. Before we left, the guys entertained us girls by dancing to Micheal Jackson, boy was that a sight ! We went to a Chinese buffet. LOL It sounds funny now, at the time it was where we liked to eat !! He was such a gentleman and so alert to my needs through out the night. We ( I think i can say this for him as well ) both fell hard... Fast! I think since we had gotten to know each other as friends first ... I don't know what it was exactly but all i know is we had so much fun together and i could be myself around him.

I'll never forget the first time he met my parents. . it was also the first time i NEEDED him and he was right there for me. I was in a accident on Gordon Dr. My 1st one ! I was so nervous. I called him and told him where i was and he was there with my roommate in just minutes. After we were done there, he drove me home to my parents house. I had to fill out the accident report and wanted to see the chiropractor. He walked into my house and in our hallway sat all my dad's guns. As he walked by he stared at them, and being the "FUNNY" guy my dad is my dad stated " just remember they are always loaded" LOL!!! Derek did get brownie points for being there and so willing to help out  :-)

Derek proposed on our yr anniversary, November 25, 2001. We got married August 2, 2003. And since then,  we have continued to have great times, and some not so great. But I wouldn't have anyone else by my side during all of it. 

He still can make me laugh!