I still do!

I do!  I still do!  :)

I said this with excitement one year ago, and I have not once regretted it.  Of course, I didn't quite know what marriage would be like, but I knew it was the right thing for both of us.  It has come with many challenges, more joys, and moments of thinking to ourselves, "Wow.  Guys and girls are SO different!"  Coming together to live as one, when we had both been single for a while, brought other challenges.  In an earlier blog, I mentioned some of the words that Alex and I would use to describe our first year of marriage. 

Mine:  learning, fun, laughter, prayer, and sleep 

His:  delight, understanding, closeness, study, and love

Learning and understanding are probably the two words that most accurately show what we have learned and worked really hard on this past year.  The more I can know my husband (what makes him happy, sad, anxious, mad), the more I can be a help to him.  He has learned so much about me too, and I am excited that no matter how long we'll live, we will always be learning one another and growing in understanding. 

Anniversary #1!

  

This weekend, we celebrated by having a "stay-cation" in Raleigh.  We pretended to be tourists, and had a lot of fun!  Saturday morning we started with a relaxing visit to my favorite spa (I'm pretty sure at this point, Alex would like me to say that he didn't have anything girly done).  Then we headed over to the B&B, Oakwood Inn. 

Bed and Breakfasts are fun to me, it's like your staying at somebody's house, only you don't know them, and you aren't required to sit around making small talk, which is nice.  We walked around the neighborhood (which we have both driven and walked through probably hundreds of times - but never as pretend tourists!)  :)  After exploring a little bit, we got ready for dinner.  Alex took me to Ruth's Chris.  I had never been there, and it was VERY good!  Plus, they gave us a free chocolate torte, which was so super! 

Sunday morning, we had breakfast at the B&B (hence the name) - yummy pumpkin pancakes.  Well, yummy to me.  Alex prefers meat and eggs at breakfast time, so he wasn't so excited.  They were very tasty though!  We had a nice conversation with a very nice couple that reminded me of my Uncle Allen and Aunt Shelley, and another lady who was traveling by herself.  After breakfast, we checked out of our room, and headed off to my husband's next plan, the Tour de Raleigh.  So sweet!

 

In front of Arthur Murray Dance Studio



At Fred Fletcher Park, where we had
our engagement pictures taken, and
where we went to spend time together
the night before we got married!



We went to places all around Raleigh that had some sentimental memory or significant moment in our relationship and took our picture at each place, and talked about the memories we had there.  Some of them felt like so long ago!  It was really fun, and a sweet plan made by my husband to celebrate our first year together.  We went first to a ballroom dance studio and Red, Hot, and Blue (our first date locations), then to Champps.

About 3 years before we ever started dating, when I didn't know him, except as "That guy Panama," Dan, Casey, Nicole Wilson, and I were eating at Champs and we saw him sitting at the bar.  I thought it would be really funny to ask the server to send him a water from us, because my friend Joy said her brother did that one time, and we all thought that was really funny.  He wouldn't even look at us, because he was worried some girl was really hitting on him, so he just ignored our general direction.  Eventually he saw us, and realized it was us, and we all laughed a lot.  Who knew I'd end up marrying him!  Now he likes to tell people that we met because I sent him a drink at a bar :)



I asked to drive at this point, because I had a place I wanted to go:  Fox Road Elementary.  We parked in the parking spot I sat in when I told him I love you for the first time.  On the phone.  At my elementary school.  The first time he said I love you to me was in an argument/very serious conversation we were having the night before, and I wasn't sure if I had heard him correctly, and I didn't want to say, "Did you just say you love me?" you know, in case he hadn't said that :)  So, the next day on the way to school we were talking on the phone, and he said it again, and I was finally able to say it back.  What a special day, even if I was in a parking lot.  I sure do love him! 



The bench where Alex
proposed to me last summer :)



Next stop:  Raleigh Rose Garden!  This is where Alex proposed last July.  It was such a sweet day, and going back was extra special.  We didn't realize that the roses would actually be blooming in November (neither of know a lot about gardening, clearly), and it was so gorgeous!

So beautiful! 

 

The last part of our tour was to All Saints Chapel, where we got married November 13, 2011.  I absolutely love that little chapel, and it is so special to us now!  It wasn't open, but we took our picture in front of the doors.  Then, we ended our tour at the Stockroom, where we had our reception. 


All Saints Chapel <3

Our wedding day was so much fun, it was great to relive parts of it and talk about some of the memories.  I had so much fun getting ready with my bridesmaids.  Amber drove us to the church, and as she, Erin, Nicole, and I sat in the car, she said to me, "If you change your mind, I'll drive you anywhere you want."  :)  Of course, I didn't hesitate for a second when I said, "I want to get married," but it's so sweet to have friends that will truly do anything for you.  I love those all the girls who were with me that day!  (And the 2 that couldn't make it - Emily and Casey!)

We had a blast this weekend, recounting the memories of our wedding day, and dwelling on all that God has taught us this past year.  I am so excited for the many years to come, God willing! 

Here are some more pictures of the weekend:

The "sitting" portion of our room at the B&B.  Fancy :)



We took turns sitting thoughtfully.

 It seemed like the right thing to do.



 

Next, I decided to catch up on my correspondence. 
Nicole Judd would be proud.

Alex didn't think it was quite so fun.

I love this picture for 2 reasons.  The flower
is beautiful, and my husband is being a creeper.

Raleigh Rose Garden!  :)