Celebrating Five Years Of...

Five years can go by in a blink of an eye, and yet can be filled with many life changes. Moving to a new home, changing jobs, weddings, graduations, making incredible new friends, having great times with old friends, and even dealing with the deaths of those we love. Reflecting on the past five years of my life I find moments of incredible highs, and devastating lows, but through it all is the one constant I know is always there...my husband.

February 1st is our fifth wedding anniversary. It's interesting the things one remembers about their wedding day. Having a slumber party with my girls the night before, dealing with the aftermath of a major snow storm, waiting in the cry room alone praying Hail Mary's to help calm my nerves, and dancing all night long!

All my memories of our wedding day are good. I mostly owe this to the most amazing Maid of Honor a Bride could have! She made sure that the day went smoothly, and if there were any last minute bumps in the road, I never heard about them. She dealt with the stress of the day so I could truly enjoy my wedding.

Each anniversary we try to get each other the traditional/modern gifts for each year. This is both challenging and fun! The 1st year anniversary gift is paper. Ken made me a stock certificate stating that I own 100% of the stock of Ken Parsell. This has worked in my favor many times over the past five years! The statement "You don't own me" is quickly followed by a quick point toward the stock certificate and a smirking declaration "Oh yes I do!"

The 3rd year anniversary gift is leather. I was extremely blessed to find the perfect gift for my husband... a first edition of Pope John XXIII's encyclical Mater et Magistra in a leather bound book complete with casing.

 

The 5th year anniversary gift is wood. We both had to be creative on this one, and I can't wait to see what my wonderful husband has come up with!

Marriage comes with it's challenges, and blessings. I am truly thankful that I get to spend my days married to my best friend and love of my life. Many people have asked us over the past 5 years if the honeymoon is over yet, and both of us always respond "Absolutely Not!"

What is your best memory from your own wedding? Do you buy traditional gifts for your anniversary too?