Anniversary Number 15!

Today is our 15th Wedding Anniversary. 

In case you wanted to buy us a gift, the suggestion is Crystal.  It's probably not really necessary or practical because 1) we have too many kids and nowhere to put and or use crystal.  And 2) we have no other crystal items because we registered at Target and at the time they didn't have crystal. (maybe they still don't, I have no idea)

After our wedding Gabe had to return to the tuxes of his groomsmen who were too busy lazy to return them.  Upon dropping them off at the rental shop the salesman said "I always like to check the pockets to see if anything got left behind".  He holds up the pants, starts shaking them and "clink clink"....Gabe puts his hands into the pockets and pulls out....FOUR SPOONS.  Why on earth did they need 4 spoons from the reception?  I have no idea.  But, in our box of stuff leftover from our wedding, we have 4 spoons.  A nice memento I guess!

Here is a picture of Gabe and I early on in our relationship.  This picture was taken during a phase in my life when I only took pictures of myself.  Shockingly, this didn't turn out too bad.  But, WOW, were we young!  (I actually think we are in our 20's in this picture.)

Quit reading now if you don't want to read me getting sentimental...

15 years.  It feels like a bit of a milestone.  If I had to do it all over again, knowing what I know now,  I would change many many things, but there's not a doubt in my mind that I would still say yes.  I feel like I uncovered some lucky penny somewhere that granted me this amazing wish.  We have no money, we are worn out from raising kids, we don't get to see each other enough; but if you asked me to dream up my perfect marriage, I wouldn't change a thing.

14th Anniversary

Today is our 14th Anniversary

or

our "Ivory" anniversary

Gabe and I got married when we were 23 years old.  We had been together for 3½ year and I considered myself an old spinster.  Patience has never been my strong suit.  Finally we got engaged and married. 

This year I gave Gabe the best anniversary presents ever. 

#1) I am letting him take a nap

&

#2) I found 2 socks for him to wear (that match) in the gigantic laundry pile, that is now level with the dryer. 

(he is not appreciative of either gift!)

In recent years I have really worked on my patience and letting life happen on life's terms rather than my own.  While spending a week in the hospital after Olive's birth, I had a lot of free time to reflect and think about my life.  Gabe and I have had many trials over the years and the main thought I kept having was that I am thankful I was patient enough to see where life would take us; because it is much better than I ever could have imagined. 

Gabe is an amazing husband and our relationship is better than I ever thought marriage would be.  We have three amazing kids who enhance our lives in so many ways.  (unfortunately not always positive!!!)  Gabe is a very natural father and I am lucky to be able to parent with him.  I began taking parenting classes when Johnny was 3 months old to learn what Gabe already seems to have inside of him.

On this anniversary I am glad that I have found the patience to see what life has in store for me.

Here is my favorite picture from our wedding...

This is our friend Kelly with Gabe's grandmother (left) and Aunt (right).

Please note, after we came home from our honeymoon, Gabe returned Kelly's tux to the store.  They were doing a "once over" to make sure nothing got left in the pockets and they found...4 spoons, taken from the reception.