Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Friday, May 2, 2014

April 21 ----VERY IMPORTANT DATE for George and Me

April 21, 2014
APRIL 21 is an important day for George and me.   It was on April 21, 2001  when I got my first KISS from George.  We started dating on March 29, and our love grew very fast... On April 21 that year,  he took me to FALL CREEK FALLS STATE PARK.  This is where that first kiss happened, and it is also where our mutual love of waterfalls began.  Fall Creek Falls has several waterfalls --and we like to visit them all several times a year.  This is also the place where we told each other that we loved each other on that same day...  SO-----we have revisited this special place EVERY year on this date...

I found photos of us from several years ---but don't seem to have anything (that we can find) from about 2003-2005..... Not sure where our pictures from those years have gone --but that was before blogging --and many of the photos are somewhere on an old digital disk maybe....?????   BUT--today,  I'll share with you what we do have...


April 21, 2001



April 21, 2002



Betsy on April 21, 2006 (No photos taken together that year--raining hard)



George on April 21, 2006 (raining like CRAZY)



April 21, 2007



April 21, 2008



April 21, 2009



Another photo on April 21, 2009



April 21, 2010



April 21, 2011 (the month I started my big diet--lost about 100 pounds between 2011-12, as you can tell from the next photo!!!)



April 21, 2012



April 21, 2013



April 21, 2014
Well---that's US through the years!!!!!  George has stayed about the same all through the years --but my poor weight has fluctuated my entire adult life.... FINALLY though,  I have learned (although it still takes discipline and WORK) to keep that weight under control.  After I started maintenance in August of 2012, I have maintained that weight (or even been less than when I began maintenance) since then --for these past 20 months.  HOORAY for ME.  That is a HUGE accomplishment.  I hope I can still say this after 20 more months --and on and on....

I will admit though that the excess weight ---and fluctuation ---did take a toll on my poor body causing some health problems which I am always dealing with.  My advice to a young adult:  Get control of your weight while you are young and do NOT go through life letting it control you!!!!!

Regardless,  April 21st is a special day for George and me.. We love to celebrate --and have LOTS of firsts which we celebrate --including our Monthaversaries!!!!  We just say that we have LOTS of years to catch up on!!!!! ha

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.  AND---if interested,  you can see any or all of the blog posts I have done about this special day... Just click HERE to scroll through them....

Can't believe it's MAY now!!!!  April just flew by!  BUT---I do have new quotes on my sidebar for this month ---so please take time to read them... These quotes probably speak to most of us --in one way or another!!!!! 

Hugs,

49 comments:

Ginny Hartzler said...

Fabulous pictures! Now I can compare the years! I did not know that you lost THAT MUCH weight!!!!! Even looking at these...you carried it pretty well. My favorites are 2, 5, and you both peeking around the tree! Beautiful lily header!

Kay said...

Oh gosh! I can't remember when our first kiss happened though I remember where. :- ) It was not anywhere romantic either, just in front of my apartment when he brought me home from a date. Ah well.

Happy Kissaversary! Congratulations on the healthy weight loss. You look fabulous!

Saucy Siciliana said...

What gorgeous pictures, so romantic. Congratulations!

www.saucysiciliana.blogspot.com

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

HI Betsy What a wonderful post and congratulation on another anniversary. Love all the photos and you have changed your hair style many times.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful pictures. Nice to see your previous age pictures. You have put on weight after 2001 and looks good. You have a good memory power!

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Elizabeth Edwards said...

you are bring tears to my eyes. what a sweet beginning. love is grand. i am so happy that the 2 of you have found each other. so perfect. be blessed & here's hoping many many more happy happy years together. ( :

DeniseinVA said...

A beautiful love story in pictures. Great pictures and so impressed with your weight loss too. Happy Anniversary!!!

linda m said...

Love seeing you and George through the years. Each year you both look happier than the last. Those are some great pictures. Love your new sidebar quotes. They are awesome. Have a great weekend.

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

First of all congratulations !
'Get control of your weight while you are young and do NOT go through life letting it control you!!!!!' I liked this very much, weight loss companies can use it as a punchline :)
Betsy, you can write posts about weight loss, helpful tips, your own personal experiences for the benefit of readers and as you already know weight loss is one of the most searched item in the www and you are going to get more viewership !
Beautiful post !

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

First of all congratulations !
'Get control of your weight while you are young and do NOT go through life letting it control you!!!!!' I liked this very much, weight loss companies can use it as a punchline :)
Betsy, you can write posts about weight loss, helpful tips, your own personal experiences for the benefit of readers and as you already know weight loss is one of the most searched item in the www and you are going to get more viewership !
Beautiful post !

MadSnapper said...

Happy belated special day..

Busy Bee Suz said...

Well April 21 is a SPECIAL day. I love that you celebrate it annually. Very sweet. I can't believe Hallmark hasn't caught on and made cards to celebrate with you; what is wrong with them???
I'm so happy that you are feeling healthier now Betsy; you are inspiring my friend.
Have a great weekend!!! XOXO

Jim and Sandie said...

A wonderful celebration of love and life. That is the way it should be. Congrats on the weight loss. I really need to get mine under control but I'm not winning that battle.

Tabor said...

I remember where I first kissed my husband and the month...but not the day! We were both graduate students at the University of Hawaii and we were on the beach looking out at the ocean. YOu two are the cutest of couples, though!!!

Connie said...

Congratulations on this important anniversary, Betsy! So fun to see you two together down through the years. :)

Small City Scenes said...

What a great way to celebrate your love. You both look great and your words are wise. Keep up the good work and great love. MB

George said...

I really enjoy going back to Fall Creek Falls every year, but the best part of each visit is still the kiss I get. Love you!

Liene said...

How interesting to see the progression. Your motivation to regain your health is inspirational and something I hope you both are very proud of - keep up the good work, and keep bringing those waterfalls to us!

Serenity Cove said...

Now I understand why you go back year after year! That is a place I would love to go to sometime.

Pat - Arkansas said...

A belated Happy First Kiss Day to you and George!

Sylvia K said...

Beautiful post and pics and wonderful to see the joy and the love you both share!! The waterfalls are incredible!! You have every reason to be proud of what you have accomplished regarding your weight!! That in itself is a great gift for both of you! Enjoy a beautiful weekend!

Linda G. said...

I loved seeing pictures of you and George over the years. Wow, Betsy. Your weight loss (and keeping it off) is an inspiration to others who need to lose excess weight!

David said...

Betsy, You and George are sooo romantic! April 20th was our big day...First date, first kiss and we were married exactly 1 year later. That was 36 years ago! And they said it wouldn't last... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

happyone said...

Nice seeing all the pictures throughout the years. You really did lose a lot of weight. Good for you. : )
Year 2002 you two don't even look like the same people!!!

Neal said...

All I have to say is that you guys were meant for each other. A nicer couple there will never be...that is from the heart. Love both of you!!

Joy said...

Your love to each other is very touching. Beautiful:)

Ruth Hiebert said...

It is wonderful to see the love you share with each other and how it remains and likely grows over the years.Have a wonderful weekend.

Rose ~ from Oz said...

I love this series of photos of you and George through the years Betsy. Your transformation is awesome enough but your maintenance is what I admire above all else.
Congratulations to your and George, the first kiss is a date to remember and celebrate, after all, that symbolises the start of your beautiful journey together.
Hugs
Rose

Our photos said...

Well, as long as You are a happy couple everything is ok

The Furry Gnome said...

Betsy, you are one lucky lady! And look better with each passing year! George is pretty lucky too I'd say.

Arkansas Patti said...

You and George are truly the cutest and most romantic couple I know.
You really have had some ups and downs Betsy and I am so impressed at how well you have maintained. Way to go gal.

Ann said...

Love seeing the pictures of you and George. You two just radiate love and joy :)

White Lace and Promises said...

Gaining Weight is such a problem for me but more than that is the problems that the excess weight does to my blood pressure, blood sugar, and depression. Three years ago when I found out I was a diabetic, I dropped 30 pounds with the help of a nutritional RN. Now, I'm back up to that and more.

You look great with short hair. Love it!

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

I enjoyed seeing your photos through the years. What a sweet tradition to return to your special place.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Great pictures Betsy! Now...will you two lovebirds get outta the way so we can see the waterfalls? LOL!! (You know I'm just kidding!) Here's to many more Kissaversaries at the falls! Hugs, Cheryl

Betsy said...

I so enjoyed seeing these pictures and the obvious love that the two of you share. Each year you see the happiness shining even more radiantly from your faces. Congratulations too, on your weight loss and maintenance. I'm learning a new way of eating myself right now and I must say, I'm enjoying it too.
Blessings,
Betsy

amanda said...

You are an inspiration in many ways! You look amazing, Betsy - I'm in awe of your will power & hard work.
Mostly - I just love you & George's love story! Thank you for sharing!

diane b said...

Your post just oozes love and romance. Well done with the weight loss...not easy. My dad died on 21 April so an important date for me too.

Shug said...

Happy Saturday morning!! This is a COOL post! BTW....the header is gorgeous..
You did it!! you lost weight and you have maintained it! So proud for you! I just love seeing all the precious pics of you and George...and of course, your matching shirts!! Hugs, and hope you all have a fabulous weekend..
Shug

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Love seeing the pictures throughout the years. Your weight loss story is always an inspiration for so many!

Grandma Bonnie said...

What a wonderful visit into your past. You are such an inspiration to everyone especially to me.

eileeninmd said...

Betsy, I enjoyed this post and seeing your photos of you and George over the years.. Beautiful photos. Happy weekend!

Unknown said...

Hey Betsy it's me Darla!! Dropping by a few friends to say hi and let you know I think of you and George often. You look great by the way!!

Big Hugs,
Darla

Mary said...

Congratulations to both you and George and I hope you have many happy years together and many more kisses :-) I also applaud you for getting your weight under control. I wish I could get better control of mine! Long, cold winters don't help....I eat when I am cold!

Big Dude said...

Great post Betsy and interesting to see the changes, especially the last two years weight loss. With 23 days from first date to first kiss, I'm not sure we could put George in the fast movers category.

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

What great pictures! I like Falls Creek Falls but haven't been there in a number of years.

Good for you for losing the weight and keeping it off! That's quite an accomplishment.

Catherine said...

What a sweet walk down memory lane! Fantastic Betsy! How wonderful that you and George found each other. Fantastic!
Hope you two are having an excellent weekend!
xo Catherine

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Betsy I was away during this post. What wonderful photos of you and George together over the years. Betsy, can I asked you what programmed you used to loose for your weight lost. You have been very inspiring to me. Thanks for your help. Hugs Judy

Jeevan said...

Lovely photos from the past and together seems made memorable stills! That’s sweet to celebrate the day you got first kiss :)That’s a needy advice to today’s young ones... the obesity is taking on-board to space.

Keep progressing with same faith, love and affection. Best wishes for you both