Daniel and I met during our senior year of college. He attended Virginia Tech and I attend Radford University, the schools are about 20 minutes away from each other. Since I had some really close girlfriends who attended Virginia Tech, I spent a lot of time there.

One night, after a Tech football game, the girls and I went out to celebrate the victory. After several hours of dancing we had made some new friends. As we got ready to go, we waited outside for our rides. It just so happened, that Daniel was part of the group we had become friends with, and they were also waiting for their rides. He came up to me and introduced himself. We chatted for a bit and he asked me for my phone number. He said he would call. I didn't think he would, but a few days later, he did.

We started out just being friends. I was attracted to Daniel's outgoing confidence. When he first came up to me, he was very nice and confident, but not in an arrogant way. I enjoyed the fact that he didn't seem like the typical college guy. Once he started talking, I didn't want him to stop. However, it took him a long time to get me to go on a real date with him.

Finally, he invited me to attend his Fraternity's Date Party. Hesitantly, I said yes. Before the party, we went to a place called The Huckleberry. It was a steakhouse in Christiansburg. We spent hours talking and finally getting to know each other. As we talked, I fell in love with him. I loved the man he was raised to be and how I could tell right away that family was very important to him. I could tell that he was a hard worker and that he didn't take anything for granted. That was the night I first knew that we were going to be married someday.

We continued to date and one night after work, Daniel came over to my apartment and asked me if I wanted to go for a walk. I wasn't busy so I said, "Sure." I put on my tennis shoes and a sweatshirt and we left the house. As we walked around the campus of Radford, he asked me about my day and we spent some time catching up. Along the way, we stopped at the fountain that is in the middle of campus and sat on a bench. After continuing our conversation for about 5 more minutes, he turned to me and began to tell me all of the things he loved about me. He went on and shared with me that he couldn't see his future without me in it. As he finished, he got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. I was surprised but I immediately said yes! We sat and talked a little while longer and then went back to my apartment. I had a feeling he was going to propose, but I had had no idea when. Since I am not an elaborate person, the simplicity and intimacy of the proposal was perfect.

As soon as we got back to my apartment, we told my roommate who happened to be my best friend. She was the first person I wanted to share the news with (aside from our families, of course). After sharing the news with her, I immediately called my parents and Daniel called his.

Our wedding was July 13, in 2002. The day of our wedding I got up very early with all of my bridesmaids. We had our hair done and ate breakfast together before heading to the church. At the church we had a bit of champagne to celebrate, shared memories, and laughed together as we waited for the hour to arrive. I couldn't wait to become Mrs. James Culpepper.

About 10 minutes before the ceremony was to start, I got a call from my brother. He was in the military and was unable to attend the wedding because he had just gotten back from a tour in Afghanistan. He told me how much he loved me and said he wished he could be there. As I walked down the aisle a few minutes later I thought about the vows I was to make and how I wished my brother could have been there. Once I made it up the aisle though, I looked over and saw the man of my dreams staring back at me and I knew that this was the best decision I had ever made. Later in the ceremony I actually sang a song to Daniel. He had chosen the song and it was called, "Only Hope." I cried through part of it but once I looked him in the eyes, it was as if he and I were the only ones there.

We now have two beautiful children and are expecting our third child in September. This summer we will celebrate our sixth anniversary. It's hard to believe that so much time has passed, but given the chance, I would do it all over again in an instant.

I've found that the best thing about being married is getting to wake up every morning to the man of my dreams. Everyday, even though hard times, I fall in love with him again and again. He is a generous, selfless man who loves his family and would do anything for them. Each morning when Daniel goes in to wake up the boys, he sings them funny made up songs. It always makes me laugh. That's just one of the many things I love about him. Also, Daniel is a great writer and writes me poems. We tried to surprise each other as much as we can by doing little things for each other. As I think about it, it makes me realize that the reasons I fell in love with him in the beginning are only part of the reason I keep falling more in love with him every day.