13 Years Ago on Labor Day

If you really want to know the history behind labor day click here. It surprised me cause I had no idea what it was really all about and how it started. It is kind of sad not only because of the circumstances that led up to the holiday and the fact that our own military was involved, but because many of us aren't taught about it to remember the lives that were lost during the "Pullman Strike".




Now onto happier "Labor Day" thoughts...

This is in the wee hours of the morning. So excuse the way we look. :)

13 Years ago on Labor Day.

Well actually the 1st of Sept, but that was Labor Day then, but this was on Labor Day.

My brother, sister and I were at a friends house all day enjoying some awesomely b-b-qued meats and side dishes. After dark we returned home and I slipped into my jammies ready for bed when my brother comes in telling me that I needed to get dressed in something nice cause we were going out. "But its late!" I protested (it really was only 9:00, but I was gran-ified when I started my job), but my big brother is  6' burly big and could snap me in two with his thumb and forefinger...I was scared  very persuasive.

After getting all dolled up he blind folded me. "Hey, this wasn't part of the deal and you're gonna smear my mascara! Are you listening? What are you up to?" As I sat blindfolded waiting for my brother to escort me to the car I thought that maybe Tyson was up to something, but only maybe (we had only been dating for 2 months) and called my brother in for help, but he was supposed to be too busy to see me that day. It was going to be the first day of our dating life we hadn't seen each other. *whimper* Later he told me that it was a last minute decision after his own Labor Day celebrations with his family.

Then after what seemed FOREVER, my brother walked me down the apartment stairs, told me I wasn't to speak AT ALL and placed me in the car. The door to the driver's seat opened, he got in and then we were off. Do you think I obeyed? Ha!

After taking off I thought "This is soooo not the way Doug drives! He is a bit smoother on the road and with turns." Then we hit a few bumps and took some sharp turns a little too fast, "This really ISN'T my brother! It has to be Tyson!" He still drives like that too. :)


After a few more twists and turns, which I found out later was his way of throwing me off  the trail to where we were going (as if blind folding me wasn't enough in my new somewhat unfamiliar town), we finally stopped. Then my blind fold was taken off to see a beautiful bouquet of pink roses (love 'em) and Tyson right behind them. He escorted me to an island on Lady Anne Lake and we sat under a weeping willow as the stars twinkled above.

Then he sat next to me slightly leaning forward to look me in the eye and asked me to marry him. I sat and thought. And thought some more.

I had always grown up dreaming of that white dress and the whole proposal thing thinking I would say something groundbreaking, earth shattering, but instead said, "Yea, I guess I will."  NICE! I know it was lame. *hand slap to the forehead* Definitely wouldn't make the cut in a movie script, but he still took me! And here we are 13 years and 5 kids later.

Well on Labor Day, we decided to drive the kids to "Lady Anne Lake" to see this little Island with a bench under the dreamy willow tree, but was sad to find out that it isn't so dreamy anymore cause the willow tree is gone.

I am thinking that someone really needs to plant a new one in our honor. Hmmmm...