3 Years

I can hardly believe that three whole years have passed since we said vows and promised to be a team forever. So much has changed in these years- for better or for worse, and we made the best of it all together. Never once in the past 1096 days did I ever want to quit or give up. This life journey we're on wouldn't be nearly as exciting without my partner. Husband of mine: you are the greatest! Here are some of the highlights these past three years:

We've lived in 2 different states, and 4 different homes.

We've had 8 different jobs between the two of us (5 for me, 3 for him).

We've bought 2 cars and a scooter.

We've travelled high and low; in cars, planes and boats.

We've loved and lost our first pet.

We've spent holidays with family, and alone.

We've gone on adventures in our cities and eaten all kinds of amazing foods.

We've run for miles and miles together, and biked a few too.

We've stayed up late talking about all the things that may come next.

We've watched countless movies and tv shows together on our brown leather couch.

We've acted like kids and fought over who does the dishes next.

We've jumped in the snow and lounged in the sand.

We've gone on hundreds of dates.

We've made new friends, and felt thankful for the old ones.

We've gone to sporting events and concerts.

We've watched dozens of friends get married as well.

We've cooked, and baked and hiked and climbed and all the while... we have loved.

But the greatest thing that we've done in all three of these years? We made a BABY! and he's the sweetest and squishiest little baby there ever was. Thank you Keith for giving me Jonah. If he grew up to be just like you, I would have no complaints.

Marriage has made us the best of friends, and now it has made us parents too. Here's to many more fabulous years together!

The Eve

On this night one year ago I was in my parents back yard with just about every person on this planet that I love the most. We rehearsed the wedding ceremony, put some finishing touches on things, made the last phone calls and orders and then ate dinner and relaxed by the pool. I was calm but still very anxious. Would everything go the way I planned it? Would the food taste good, would everyone show up on time? Would it rain? So much uncertainty, but the one thing I was certain of was him. I knew that I would go to sleep as me, and before I went to bed again the next day, it would be we. Best choice I ever made.

I think one of my favorite bloggers Emily really captured my feelings when she said, "1 universe, 9 planets, 204 countries, 809 islands, 7 seas, and I had the privilege of meeting you." 

I couldn't be more thankful for you, Keith Alan Richards. Thank you for being my husband for 2 whole years and for choosing to love me better each and every one of those days. You give me reasons to smile and laugh and to be the best version of myself even when it seems impossible some days. You forgive me on the days that I fall short, and you love me even when I don't show you the love you deserve. For that you are my favorite, and for that I am grateful. For the past 730 days, I have been a wife, and I look forward to a million more of learning how to do that better. I am yours, forever.

Library Love

A couple weeks ago my parents sent me this article from their local newspaper about how the library we got married at is starting to become a popular wedding spot. I've left it out on our dining room table since I got it in the mail and every time that I walk past and see it, I can't stop smiling. Maybe it's just because our 2nd anniversary is only 9 days away and I'm just all sappy in general, but I just really love that place, and I loved that day and all the people who were there to celebrate with us :) So many amazing memories! I'm so proud of that library and the symbol that it is for Keith and I; I couldn't be happier to have a place like that to go and visit and relive all those good times.

Twice

Two years ago from yesterday, my husband gave me that ring and I haven't taken it off since. Is it weird that when I remembered the date I thought, "oh that was only 2 years ago?" It already feels like we've been together for a lifetime, in the best of ways. It is so crazy to think about all the things that have changed in such a short amount of time. Thank you for loving me so well through these years Keith, I can't wait to celebrate this day and so many more for the rest of our lives!

So if you're feeling as nostalgic as I am, feel free to re-read our engagement story and laugh about how incredibly awkward I am.

Old Cake

This weekend we played along with the age old tradition of eating a slice of our wedding cake on our first anniversary, regardless that neither of us really know why it's a tradition haha. You may remember my little situation of getting the cake from Florida, so I was a little skeptical that it was going to taste good. Let me tell yah... if you were too scared to eat your own year old cake, you were MISSING OUT! It was really darn awesome. We had to cut a second piece because we devoured the first so fast haha. It was worth waiting a year to try again because I truly don't remember having more than a bite on the day of our wedding. I'm guessing that the purpose of the tradition is to actually get a chance to enjoy the cake and to take some time to reminisce about your wedding day... thoughts?

Flashback

One year ago today Keith and I managed to gather the most amazing crowd of people to witness us exchange vows, and to celebrate the joy of love together with us. It was a day that I will never forget, and that we've spent the weekend sharing stories about and laughing at all the crazy things that happened. This year FLEW by, and we learned so much about marriage and life and love and respect. I wouldn't take back any of those difficult moments for all the good things that have come out of it. Marriage is hard, but thankfully I have an amazing partner in crime.

Thank you Keith Richards for the most amazing year of my life so far... I look forward to all the wonderful adventures that we still have ahead of us :)

Here are some photos from our wedding that you may not have seen before:

The production that was hanging our alter.

Getting settled for our outdoor ceremony.

Mom doing flower arrangements.

Probably stressing over table arrangements (and clearly before hair and makeup haha)

Steve trying to be a bridesmaid.

Center pieces.

Guys getting ready at the hotel... livin the highlife courtesy of my brother.

Writing his vows :)

Readying...

Trying hard to keep my eyes open for pictures... SO SUNNY!

DJ Bert.

The only thing I was nervous about was all those people watching me haha

I was crying so much, and he was so sweet to me. 

Sweaty hands.

Crying again as he sang to me. 

Laughing at each other.

Goof balls.

The lovely Dane and Deb, who married us and organized the chaos.

Sibling love.

Saying hello to Matt, Eve, Sara and Drew who were in Prague haha

That cake was pretty hard to cut. 

Party scene from the DJs table.

Headed out!

Life of the party Dad.

Writing this post has been an excellent excuse to go through all of our albums of wedding photos together and reminisce a bit. I miss all the people in these picture and as much as I'm glad we got to lounge today, a little part of me wishes we were all back in Boca tonight having a KILLER party. Our reception is a night I don't think anyone will ever forget for a long time. As much as I was pushed to my stress limits through the wedding planning process, the night that we had with all our closest friends and family made every second worth it. Thank you to everyone who joined us, and made that day such a joyous occasion for Keith and I. One year later we're still talking about how amazing that day was, and I hope that we continue to tell these stories for many more years to come!

Now if only we were headed out on our honeymoon tomorrow....

Zoo Date

Today Keith and I celebrated our anniversary by taking a trip to the zoo. I LOVE zoos and I'm always excited to check out the zoo in any given city. Since our first date ever was at a zoo four years ago, it seemed like a cute little bit of nostalgia that we check out the zoo here in Nashville today.

Ready for a little now and then action? Here are some shots from August of 2007, on our first date:

Keith's favorite picture of me.

Two years of beard growth and I still thought he was cute haha

and here are some shots from today:

I made a kissy face, and this camel got within centimeters of my face haha

Clouded Leopard kittens!!!

By far my favorite of the day, they were so cute and playful! I wanted to take them home.

The red pandas weren't in their exhibit today, but I found an even CUTER red panda ;)

In honor of the first photo ^

In honor of our polaroid with the giraffes...

Of course, we didn't have our arms around each other then because we were too nervous to even hold hands haha

It was a great day :) I had heard things about the zoo in Nashville not being great, but we saw everything we wanted to see, and had a lot of fun. We were definitely the only people there without kids, but thankfully it wasn't too hot and we got to relive some first date moments. Four years ago we were just a couple of kids with a crush, and now this weekend we get to celebrate one amazing year of marriage. Love you best friend!

Now to get ready for a night on the town and dinner at the Eastland Cafe...