Oh, Daddy, What a Catch!

I was thinking today that someday the two of you (or your girlfriend/fiancee/wife) may be interested in knowing how your Dad and I met and started dating.  Well, we met for the first time at a bowling alley.  Then, we went to a football game together.  But our first real date, where Dad picked me up and met my parents (Grandma and Grandpa Harper), was early November 1996.  He was the first guy who had ever picked me up and taken me on a date.  We went to a Sawyer Brown concert with his parents (Nana and Papa Patterson).  It was great.  And so began an amazing relationship.  Just last month, Dad and I have been together for 15 years.  And next year, when I turn 32, we will have been together for half of my life.  Crazy to think about.  We dated all the rest of high school, Dad went to Northwest Missouri State University his freshman year of college, and then transferred to UMKC when I started college there.  After 3 and 1/2 years of dating, Dad asked me to marry him.  He proposed on The Plaza in Kansas City by the big fountain with the horses.  We got married in July 2002, on what was our 5 and 1/2 year anniversary of dating. 
The following song makes me think of your Dad when I hear it, because he has always been so good to me, and now to the two of you. 
What a Catch!

Mama's Song Lyrics (as sung by Carrie Underwood)
Mama you taught me to do the right things
So now you have to let your baby fly
You've given me everything that I will need
To make it through this crazy thing called life
And I know you watch me grow up
and always want whats best for me
And I think I found the answer to your prayers

And he is good, so good
He treats your little girl like a real man should
He is good, so good, he makes promises he keeps
No he's never gonna leave
So dont you worry about me
Dont you worry about me