What I Know Then and Now

It was perfect timing...I was going through a bag of old things and came across this little treasure. THE MARK DOLL!!!!!! He is missing his shoes, and his hair has taken on a rather ratty look to it now, but it's still the same doll I remember. Before some of you start thinking that I am a much weirder person than you ever realized, I must explain the Mark doll. It was the master creation of my mom (who else) as a "prize" at my bridal shower. Mark's mom had flown in from FL for the shower, and she and I were put to the test answering random questions about Mark - the winner getting to keep the Mark doll. I can't remember who actually won the game, but there were a lot of funny questions, a lot of laughing, and, in the end, I ended up with the Mark doll. Back then, Mark and I had only known each other a year and a half when I was answering those questions. We dated for six months, he proposed, then we were married a year later. Needless to say, there was some information that I knew and a lot that I didn't know. My guess is that people feel that way even if they date six years. After all, people are like onions (according to Shrek), there are a lot of layers to peel back. Anyway, shortly after winning the Mark doll, I married the man, Mark, and yesterday I came across the Mark doll again the afternoon before we were set to go out to celebrate our 9th anniversary.Our anniversary is actually on Wednesday (1/19), but my parents offered to watch the girls for us last night, so we took the opportunity to head out and celebrate a few days early. Nine years gives you the opportunity to learn a lot more about a person than just a few funny trivia questions does. We've shared many great times, some tough times, some just normal times, and I know a much different Mark today than I did nine years ago. I'm sure he would say he knows a much different me. We sat over a long dinner and talked about the changes going on in our lives, the changes in the kids, and our dreams for the future. Much has changed, yet much remains the same. I am really looking forward to seeing what another year has in store...