the top ten of jer and aim's first ten

i am going to play a little catch up here since i am just getting started on this blog stuff. as such, i am going to post a list of things that have stood out in my mind over the last ten years of mine and aimee's first decade together. the reason i put this list together is because aim and i recently celebrated our tenth anniversary and i thought it would be a good way to look back over some of the more memorable moments of our beginning.

yes, it has been ten years since we wed and, yes, you are that much older. gone are the days when jeff and i would run through the church halls in our superman and batman underwear after church (that would be jeff jr. and our escapades were way before my tenth anniversary with aim, so if you have even a fleeting memories of our rants, then you are likely still recovering from the mental trauma and doing so from the comfort of an old folks' home).

my point is that mucho tiempo has passed. so much that there is now a new generation of coopers who have taken up their own collection of superhero underwear and many of you are old enough to be their parents/grandparents. the golden years are upon us.

i digress. enjoy the top ten list.

TOP TEN OF JER AND AIMS’ FIRST TEN

By year:
1998: We got married and a blizzard commenced… there’s go t to be some symbolism there.

1999: Traveled to Argentina and almost got sucked into the falls of Iguazu on a boat where there were four people but only two sets of teeth. Esta muy rica la porqueria! Oh, do we need a temple recommend to get into temples in other countries? Bye Jer… I’ll have fun here in Buenos Aires for the next day all by myself while you fly home even though I don’t speak any Castellano.

2000: Son number one was born: what a great way to start the new millennium + Aimee finishing her degree in health science at BYU = Aimee and Jameson marching across the stage dawning their graduation gowns to receive “their” diploma. Way to go mom!

2001: Jeremy graduated from BYU for the first time ever. Jeremy accepted a job from the impermeable accounting firm, Andersen. Aimee trains for and completes her first half marathon during which she develops her undying devout desire to continue running early in the morning. More power to you, babe.

2002: Jeremy graduated from BYU for the second time ever and took off in Tito el Tiburon to Nor Cal on one of the hottest days in Utah history. By the way, sometime between 2001 and 2002 Andersen became very permeable and in fact collapsed which meant the new firm of choice for the Cooper family was none other than PricewaterhouseCoopers. Ah, the wonders of nepotism. All the Coopers needed now was a mini-Cooper and a pad in Cupertino.

2003: I don’t remember much about 2003, I was too intoxicated with tax returns and billable hours for PwC. I think Aimee was involved in a relationship with Santa Cruz Beach, Manrisa Beach, the City and Monterey Bay.

2004: Son number two was born in the hospital… barely. Doctor to Jeremy: good for you! Never was a mother more beautiful while giving birth to a child. Caleb the Conqueror began his reign. Jameson the Wise waxed philosophical in pre-school. What are you doing with that magnifying glass, son?

2005: Jeremy said to himself: why settle for two degrees when you can have three? At least he’s not a polygamist. Aimee begrudgingly tagged along to the grand city of Las Vegas so Jeremy could start 18th grade. Jameson started kindergarten. It takes a hearty soul to survive in the desert, much less thrive.

2006: Jeremy and Aimee take a much needed trip to Florida for Big Kim’s inauguration. Jeremy enjoyed first-class accommodations: warm cashews, warm moist towels, gourmet meals, and cran-apple juice with a twist of lime while pregnant Aimee sat squished in the back of coach surrounded by drunk Irishmen (is that redundant?). No worries… a romantic evening in our own hotel room awaits. We will rendezvous (I wrote that with the proper French accent, Dr. LeMone) at the rental car pick-up and at last embark on our lover’s get away. What do you mean there are two terminals in this airport? You printed out three different sets of directions to the hotel and we are still lost two hours after leaving the airport? What do you mean you don’t have a reservation for us? Hi Tyler. I’ll unpack, Aim. Yeah, Aimee really likes candles.

2007: Son number three is born. Coslton comes to town and five days later the Coopers purchase their first home. Thanksgiving dinner brought a smile to my face.

2008: Big game James gets baptized. Jeremy is on the verge of actually being done with school forever. The Bar is salivating for a piece of Jeremy. Aimee is a regular at the Doctor’s office.

Ten years have flown by full of fierce love and fits of fury.
Life has been a whirlwind of experience coupled with a swift dose of the refiner’s fire. Aim has stood by my side throughout it all whether she wanted to or not. I for one can’t imagine a world without her. She is my queen and this is a glimpse of our kingdom. It’s upward and onward from here on out. I love you, little babe.
You and me.