1.) Prarie Camp- This is where it all began. Jaymes & I met here. At a church camp that we had both gone to for years. Funny thing is, we had almost all of the same friends, and had never crossed paths until the summer of 2005! The Lord's timing was absolutely perfect though, and I never would have guessed that the 'jerk hogging the couch' in the Mondich cabin, 3 years later would become my husband! We went back there this summer to watch 2 great friends get married, and the memories were everywhere. This place will always hold a special spot in my heart!
2.) The Riverwalk- I guess technically, this is really where 'it all began'. Jaymes proposed to me here. On a beautiful summer evening, during a local concert's 'break' on a stage, infront of hundreds of people. Some of our closest friends were there with us, for what I thought was just a picnic. Family was there too, but hiding in the background somewhere! I will never forget how this all played out. We're sitting there with the Pannabeckers on our blanket, eating our fried chicken, and all of the sudden the lead band member says, 'Okay, we're gonna take a short break. We have a very special guest here today who wants to say something. A Marine on leave from Okinawa, Japan. Cpl. Heare, come on up!' (or something of that nature, honestly, at this point, I'm getting a LITTLE nervous..) I was thinking, '.. that's my boyfriend..!' Jaymes pulled my hand and said, 'Come on! Follow me!' He ran up to the stage, as I staggered behind, grabbed the microphone, said something to the crowd, and then, (as he took a knee) 'Abigail Ruth, I love you more than anything in this world and I want to share the rest of my life with you.. will you be my wife?' Yes. yes. yes. This is a very special place for us to visit, as it also brings back a very special memory to us.
3.) San Clemente, California- The first place we lived together, after getting married! This wasn't our 'own' place, as we shared it with a fellow Marine that Jaymes worked with, but it was our starting place. We split rent, it was comfy, and cheap. I will never forget this place because well, for lots of reasons, but mainly because this was the start of married life together. We learned a lot in the few short months we stayed there, and made lots of memories we'll always treasure.
4.)
Dana Point, California- This was officially, our FIRST place together as just the 2 of us. We fell in love with our tiny 800 something square foot apartment, and stayed there for a year. Beautiful, beautiful town to live in. Shops and restaurants, basically right in our backyard, and the ocean a mile away..! It was very bittersweet to leave there, but, we'll be back to visit someday. ;)
5.) Mission Viejo, California- This was our 2nd place together (really, the 3rd I suppose). We moved here because this town was a little bit cheaper than Dana Point, because we were expecting our first baby, and needed a little more space! We brought Ayden home to this apartment, and he spent his first 2 months of life in it. It was even harder to leave here than it was to leave Dana Point. But we weren't just moving to the next town, we were leaving to go back to Indiana.. very bittersweet move. We will be going back to California someday to show Ayden where he was born, and where mommy & daddy started their life together! And I can't wait!!
6.) Fiesta Tapatia- This one may just seem silly in comparison to the others, but it's our favorite restaurant! Owned by a Mexican family, with outstanding, AND cheap food! We spent lots of time there when we dated, when we were engaged, with family, alone, and with friends. The owners welcome us like we're family everytime! So just a place we go to a lot for good food, and lots of laughs. Tons of memories were made here too!
