United for a Decade

Ten years ago today, I said I do to Shawn Wesley Copeland, my best friend, life-long partner, and first and only love.

As you're reading we're on our anniversary vacation (I'll post pictures after our 30-day challenge). But for now, here's our past ten years in review along with some pictures.

2000: We got married and began our new lives in Commerce, TX while we finished up college at TAMU-C. We bought our first place, a brand new single-wide mobile home-call us trailer park trash, but that mobile home is still standing and a 3rd income for us. We both landed a job at a huge hotel corporation working for guest relations in the corporate office.

2001: Shawn walked on and earned himself a QB position on the football team, and I was once again, his number one fan. In addtion to school and football games, I spent a lot of my time serving as president of the BSM (Baptist Student Ministry), and helping to carry out other ministries there.

2002: Shawn graduated with a degree in Kinesiology and Mathematics, and landed his first job with Community ISD as a coach and teacher. In addition to a new job, Shawn tried out and made a Semi-Pro football team, played for the next four years of our marriage, and was voted in a TUFL All-Star for each consecutive year. This particular year, he was awarded All-American QB-Honorable Mention. As for me I was enjoying all the football games, both Shawn's and his athletes' games, and I was going to school and working full time.

2003: After changing my major twice before deciding to become a teacher; I finally graduated. My goal was to graduate in 2001, which could have easily been reality had I stuck with either one of my first majors, but God had other plans for me. After receiving my B.S. in English/Reading/Speech; I landed my first job with Shawn at Community ISD as a coach and teacher. Shawn's football semi-pro career was soaring and he was once again awarded All-American QB-Honorable Mention.

2004: We bought our 2400-square foot dream home in Royse City with all the bells and whistles. Our intention was to fill up all those extra rooms with children of our own someday. In addition to all the transition, we built a beautiful pool in our backyard, complete with full-landscaping that turned our backyard into a paradise ambiance. After much prayer, I decided that I did not want to coach and be pregnant at the same time, so when the new school year started; I was officially a Royse City, bulldog teacher.

2005: Marked the end to Shawn's Semi-Pro football career. A rare elbow condition closed the door on his dreams of being an NFL QB. Little did he know, God had other plans in the making. Shawn was named Offensive Coordinator of the Community football team, which further sparked another dream...being an Athletic Director of a school district one day. That Spring we found out that we were expecting our first baby.

2006: After spending two full years in Royse City, another opportunity presented itself in my teaching career and I accepted a job in Rockwall ISD. But, perhaps the most exciting moment of this year was welcoming sweet Faith Michelle into our family, exactly a month until my 26th birthday. We quickly hopped aboard the parenthood wagon, and learned what it was like to love a child of our own unconditionally and to become totally selfless. While we were in the business of breastfeeding, bottles, diapers, wipes, reading sensory books, and watching Einstein videos; we prayed and made an important decision that would change the dynamics of our family forever...

In 2007 we welcomed precious Jaxon Wesley and Faith met her best friend for life. Shawn joined me in Rockwall and continued coaching and teaching at Rockwall-Heath H.S. Shawn also sealed the deal on his ability to produce children--While this may be TMI-I consider this a highlight of this year.

2008: Brought some job changes for both of us with McKinney ISD and moved us away from dear friends, a great church family, our comfort zone, and normalicy. WHY was not a question we had to wonder about, much less ask--God immediately was faithful to show us exactly why he moved us to the unique city of McKinney. Towards the very end of this year, Jaxon became potty trained--which meant no more huge diaper bags, diapers, or wipes; something we visualized when we made the decision to have back-to-back babies.

2009: We knew in our hearts that McKinney would not be considered home for a long period of time, so we've rented for the last year and a half. We've practically reached our goal of being debt free, and Shawn has done a great job setting those goals for our family.

The Lord has shown favor upon our marriage, our family, and our decisions, and we can't wait to see what the next ten years will bring. It's crazy to think that Shawn will be forty, I'll be thirty-nine, and we'll have TWO middle-schoolers.

Happy Anniversary, Shawn, I LOVE YOU!!!

A chord of three strands is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12