The love of my life

In the spring of 1988 I saw a boy at church. His mom was my missionettes coordinator and this particular boy walked into our class to ask his mom for money for the candy machine located in the hallway of the church. He was wearing his brown royal ranger's uniform and had his socks pulled up to his knees.

In the summer of 1995 I was sitting on a school bus with 40 other students and we were traveling with our youth group to Mexico for a mission's trip. That same royal ranger from seven years ago came and sat by me and my sister and talked to us. I actually don't even remember this conversation talking place, but this boy does.

In September of 1995 I arrived early to church and was working on my homework in the back of the youth room. This boy walked over and asked what I was doing. For several weeks this boy would help me with my math homework before youth service.

In October of 1995 we were at a youth group party for the World Series at Malcolm and Heidi Wiley's house. I began to notice that whatever room I went into, this boy seemed to make his way into the room shortly after.

In November of 1995 I was working at Vine and Branches and my friend Sibyl came into help me close the store one night. We were talking and I told her that I had a crush on a certain boy. She laughed and said, "He likes you too! You both are just too scared to tell the other one!". Later that month this boy was going on a mission's trip to El Salvador, and the night before he left he asked me if I wanted to see a movie when he got back.

On November 24, 1995 this boy took me too see Toy Story. This boy will tell you that he was wearing a Mauve sweater, but I will tell you it was PINK! This boy hardly talked the whole evening. Aftefwards he asked me if I wanted to get ice cream and I said 'No". Then he asked me if I wanted to go out the next night, and I said "No". Then Sunday came and he asked me if he could sit next to me in church and I said, "No." He was a persistent boy, so when he asked, I agreed to go out with him the next weekend to Chili's.

On December 3rd 1995 this boy asked me to be his girlfriend. I said yes.

On January 5 1996, this boy came to my house and as he was leaving he asked to kiss me. I said "no". Then as we were getting his jacket, he asked again. I said "no". As we were walking to his car, he asked again. I finally said "yes".

In August of 1996 I went to college and this boy stayed home. We broke up because we thought we were too young to be in a long distance relationship.

In January of 1997 this boy came to the same college where I was.

In February of 1997 we began dating again.

In April of 1997 we broke up. This boy, like every 18 year old boy, had a phobia of commitment.

The summer of 1997 we were "special friends." We were the kind of friends that I tell all of our girls NOT to have!!! :)

The fall of 1997 we took time away from each other and we dated other people.

December of 1997 we started hanging out again. This boy and several other people came to my house. Everyone decided to go line dancing. This boy and I stayed back, watched Braveheart, and caught up on the time we weren't together. This boy left my house at 3 am. I still haven't told my parents this!

In January of 1998 this boy said he wanted to date me again. Of course, in keeping with tradition, I said "no". Needless to say, I had trust issues with him. I told him that if he wanted to be with me, he was going to have to prove it. He did.

In February of 1998 this boy asked again, and I said "yes."

In the spring of 1998 this boy and I were on the phone and he said, "I want to marry you, you know." I said, "you have to date me for a year without breaking up with me first!" :)

From February of 1998 to October of 1999 this boy and I dated. I knew I loved him and this year and a half solidified our relationship.

On October 17th 1999 in the sanctuary of Evangel Temple in Springfield, this boy asked me to marry him. He only had to ask once this time. I said yes. Even though we spent the first two years of our relationship breaking up, making up, and breaking up again, we knew we were meant for each other.

On June 24, 2000 I married this boy that I first saw during the spring of 1988. Somewhere during all of these years I fell in love with that boy that came to sit by me on a school bus. Four years and seven months from our first date, we both said the big "yes", and became husband and wife.

On June 24, 2007 I love this boy more today than I ever knew was possible. This boy is my hero. This boy is everything that I truly want to be. This boy is the best friend, the best partner, the best father, and the best follower of Jesus that I know. This boy is God's greatest gift to my life. This boy is MY man!!!

I love you Erik Paul Scottberg, and you know the only reason why this is extra cheesy is because you were gone all week at camp and I MISSED YOU!