Happy Anniversary

My mom made the cake. Best cake I've EVER had in my life!

The church front.  

We gave wildflower seeds away as gifts for the guests! 

If you can't tell, we like flowers a lot : )  And those are mints that my awesome sister made.

This quilt is gorgeous. It wasn't there for my wedding in particular;
it just always hangs on the wall of the church!

Tea-lights.

Bridesmaids.

I liked my sweet-pea bouquet!

Yes, I went barefoot the entire time. Who needs shoes anyway!?

The guys HAD to get their Abbey Road picture.

Lookin' sharp!

Some of my guitar friends provided prelude music!

Lighting the unity candle.

Hooray, we're married!

Today is our anniversary. 

Our wedding just happened, right? It seems recent and yet a long time ago. We definitely look a bit younger in those pictures.... hmmm. It was a lovely ceremony, surrounded by friends and family, simple, peaceful, and joyful. Good memories.

Right now, we're on our third year! Woohoo! The addition of Harmony has made this past year pretty interesting. I barely remember our second anniversary, except that I was super, super hot, sweaty, hugely pregnant, and wondering when this baby was going to come out (she was born a week later). This year's anniversary is much more pleasant. 

Our traditions always include discussing the past year, looking forward to the coming year with hopes, dreams, and goals, sharing thoughts about our relationship, and appreciating each other. We also go to our favorite frozen custard stand, since we went there on our wedding day (if the bridal party goes in their fancy clothes, everyone gets free custard!), and who doesn't want to celebrate anything with delicious frozen custard? 

Maybe someday we'll get to go on a vacation together, reminiscent of our honeymoon to the upper peninsula of Michigan and the Great Lakes, but right now we'll just enjoy each other's company and our lovely family : )  

I'd like to share this beautiful poem about the art of a good marriage, which is what we hope to have! The poem was found here.

The Art of  a Good Marriage

by Wilferd A. Peterson 
Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.

A good marriage must be created.

In marriage the little things are the big things.  

It is never being too old to hold hands.

It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angry.

It is at no time taking the other for granted;

the courtship should not end with the honeymoon,

it should continue through all the years.

It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.

It is standing together facing the world.

It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.

It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.

It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.

It is not looking for perfection in each other.

It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humour.

It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.

It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.

It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.

It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.

It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.

Happy anniversary, my love. Here's to many more!

*All photos by the ever-so-talented Jim Larson!