8 Years

Those would be my anniversary flowers from Eddy. Do you see what he had put in them? I was laughing so hard when the florist delivered these and hardly could say, "There are Hostess cupcakes in my flowers!" She said, "yes, there are 8. Happy 8th Anniversary!" After 8 years, Eddy knows how I can't resist those darn cupcakes and eat them ALL the time. He KNOWS me. Even better, he really loves me 8 years later.

I could pass along more fun memories, but I think I will leave that to the slideshow below. Instead, I would like to reminisce about the second song that closes the slide show.  I sang and had it recorded for a surprise at our wedding. As most of you know I LOVE to sing. When Eddy and I got engaged it was not long before everyone kept asking me if I was going to sing at our wedding. Uh...come on...we all know me and emotions equal gallons of tears;) NO way I could get through an emotional song on one of the most happiest days of my life.

However, I DID want to sing. So, then I started brainstorming how I could get a recording. A real, professional recording. Yeah...that takes a decent amount of money. We already were using every spare penny for the wedding and did not have a budget for a recording.

I got it! The song I wanted to sing was a country song and I had been a loyal listener to a Portland morning radio show(99.5 the wolf) for years. I composed a letter sharing our love story and how I was desperately wanting to record and wondering if they could help. And guess what...THEY SAID YES! I could not believe it! The producer called me and we set up a session and off my mom and I(and Fritz) went to the station.

Of course I was nervous sitting in the lobby waiting to be called back. It was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. It was just me, my mom, little Fritz and the receptionist in the OH, so quiet room. That's when Fritz, failing to be quiet said, "Panette, I passed gas." That did it. Tension eased...in more ways than one:) We all, receptionist included, were in hysterics.

So...we were called back to the studio, tackled the song, and then were given a tour of the station. WOW! I could not believe that happened! However, when we got home, I was less than thrilled with the recording. In fact...it was terrible. The levels were off and my voice sounded like I was singing with my hand in front of my face. Now what?

I did have another idea, but I REALLY did not want to ask. I felt by asking, it was taking advantage of my brother's friendship. His friend had already recorded me once before for free and since then, his studio had started to take off. But...I did not know what else to do, so I asked. I told him about the radio station bomb and was hoping he could help me out. HE SAID YES! And it turned out fantastic. And...all of this went down with only a FEW people knowing. I wanted it to be a surprise to everyone during the ceremony. And...it was:) Right before Eddy's dad pronounced us as 'husband and wife', the song came on. And, I don't think I am exaggerating when I say there was not a dry eye in the church.

Now, eight years later, I am SO happy I recorded it instead of singing it live. We still are able to listen to it! Blake...thank you so much for giving me and Eddy this AMAZING gift. If anyone is in need of a professional recording in the Portland area, check out Clarity Recording, you will love the end product.

So there is the back-story to my song for Eddy and the one to close out the following slide show. Happy 8th Anniversary Eddy....I love you.

8 Years from tofslie on Vimeo.