June 2nd, 2012 was the day we vowed, “I Do,” with a very limited understanding of what that would actually mean as the years ticked by. Looking back on our special day makes me realize how innocent couples are on their wedding day. The excitement and thrill of a magical day, often overshadows the future unknown of being together forever.
We met in 2nd grade, but lost touch when in 4th grade because I moved away. We reconnected in college, thanks to his coincidental run-in with a mutual friend while he was late for class and later mentioning it on Facebook. Add a healthy dose of stalking on my behalf and our adulthood love story began to unfold. We dated for 5 years before tying the knot and even with fate on our side, it doesn’t take long to see that being someone’s other half takes work and has even more meaning once the ink dries on the official paperwork. We both believed in those words that day, but I think we were very naive about what life could, and would, throw our way after the honeymoon.
I believe in destiny, fate, and having soulmates. Admittedly, I’m a hopeless romantic, sometimes to a fault. Jordan doesn’t get too hung up on those specific phrases, but he’ll often entertain my thoughts on the subject matter. He knows we are meant to be, but doesn’t necessarily subscribe to the belief that “everything happens for a reason” or “we are right where we’re supposed to be” because he feels we should give ourselves more credit for the work we put in and where we are in life. I always trust that things work out exactly how they are supposed to and with that, comes my belief that I am only destined for him.
This same mentality applies to my wedding ring. I never want to “upgrade” because it’s so symbolic to me of our beginning, present, and future. I realize that it sounds corny, but it’s true. It certainly doesn’t hurt that he did a ton of ring/diamond research, completely picked it out himself, and surprised me with the proposal. I absolutely love those details about our engagement.
If, for some reason, I lost him (one way or another), I would never remarry. He’s it for me. This family it IT for me. I couldn’t invest in another one like the one I have now because THIS one is supposed to be mine. I might be too insistent on this believe, and Lord knows I hope I’m never proven wrong, but I firmly stand behind our relationship.
My marriage, and now family, is the most sacred thing I own. We take pride in it and we work hard for it. We enjoy each other’s company and are the best of friends. We value our love. Isn’t that what it all boils down to, anyway?
The best marriage advice to ourselves: over-communicate. Talk about how you feel, what you want, what’s bothering you, what makes you happy, etc. The more you talk, the more you understand each other and the less likely there is room for error.
I think marriage can have a funny way of feeling mundane day-in and day-out, if you aren’t mindful, intentional, and aware. We choose to not let it. One thing we promised to do as our first anniversary approached was to celebrate our anniversary every. single. year. No matter what, we swore we’d take time each year to acknowledge our special day, big or small. We also agreed to give each other gifts, but it had to follow the anniversary theme for that year (traditional or modern is fine). We started off by alternating years, but now we more so go by who has an idea to surprise the other one. Some years, we both get each other something, but for the most part, we try to make it a couples gift for both of us, but only from one of us. I made a photo album where I capture each year’s celebration and we look back on it every June 2nd. I’ll take you on a mini trip down memory lane.
1st Anniversary: We went camping in Petoskey. We went into town to shop and do a brewery tour, but mostly the weekend was spent at the campsite relaxing. Jordan got us matching wood watches which started the whole gift tradition because it was so thoughtful. (Traditional: Paper; Modern: Clock)
2nd Anniversary: Instead of a trip, we wanted an adventure. We took a bike ride from Holland to downtown Grand Haven. I got Jordan a robe wrapped in a bag with cotton balls and an Under Armor travel bag. I took the theme pretty literally and this was probably the worst of all our gifts. Haha! (Traditional: Cotton; Modern: China)
3rd Anniversary: We were living on the west side of the state, but had just found out a job opportunity for Jordan was bringing us “home.” We had to tour apartments, so we double dipped and took in a Tigers game. This year, I got us a leather-bound journal to document our major life milestones and places of residency. It’s fun to update and flip through every now and then. If you really do the math, our real present this year was conceiving Summer. (Traditional: Leather; Modern: Crystal/Glass)
4th Anniversary: This year, we went out to dinner and dessert at home from his Granny. Summer was only a couple months old, we had just bought a house and preparing to move, and Summer’s first surgery was looming, so escaping for a few hours over a yummy dinner was exactly what we needed. Our gift to each other was new appliances for our house – which coincidentally worked out well. (Traditional: Fruits/Flowers; Modern: Appliances)
5th Anniversary: We went to Atlanta, Georgia this year. We toured the Coca-Cola plant, saw Luke Bryan in concert, and took in an Atlanta Braves game. Looking back, this was our toughest year of marriage, so it was extra special to get 6.2.12 tattoos on our ring fingers. I suppose that was our gift to each other, even though it didn’t fit either of the anniversary gift molds. (Traditional: Wood; Modern: Silverware)
6th Anniversary: We spent a weekend Louisville, Kentucky for our 6th year. My parents watched Summer and we did the whole Churchill Downs thing, whiskey tours, and hung out in their downtown entertainment district called 4th Street Live. We still talk fondly of this trip and can’t wait to go back. On our way home, we stopped back at Woodford Reserve and bought a used bourbon barrel, which satisfied both the traditional and modern themed gifts. (Fun Fact: a key ingredient in making bourbon is the limestone in the water to filter out the iron and the only place that happens in the U.S. is Kentucky.) (Traditional: Candy/Iron; Modern: Wood)
7th Anniversary: We had just sold our house and were on the move again. I had a work trip planned at the end of May that we turned into a little family anniversary trip. We went to Virginia and Maryland. We enjoyed mountain views, took in an Orioles baseball game and stadium tour, and enjoyed a sunset harbor boat ride and sight seeing. We drove home on our actual anniversary and had lunch at Burger King in the middle of nowhere while Summer played in their indoor jungly gym, which was definitely memorable. I got us a picture frame with our first song’s lyrics (“I knew I Loved You Before I Met You” by Savage Garden) engraved in copper. (Traditional: Wool/Copper; Modern: Desk Sets)
8th Anniversary: This year, we are going to the park where we got married to play outside. We’re going to enjoy a picnic dinner in the Twin Chimneys where our ceremony was held. I got us a chips and dip set (chip, chip, hooray!) and a pitcher that are made of pottery, because I can’t “picture” my life without him. Get it? 😉 I also caved and got him the Blanton’s bronze horse corks collection because he’s been eying it and, well…I’m a sucker for a theme. (Traditional: Bronze/Pottery; Modern: Linens/Lace)
Each year, it’s so fun to plan our anniversary adventure and themed gifts. It’s a reminder that our bond and marriage is a priority. We value having fun. We value each other. I’m well aware that I’m not a perfect wife, nor is he a perfect husband, but we are perfect for each other.
Happy Anniversary, to the only love of my life. Cheers to 8 years!
The Rupkey Roost 