Happy Anniversary Andrew!

So this post is definitely a little late, but nonetheless, Happy Anniversary Andrew!!! Five years... in some ways it seems like we have been married forever, but then I just say the word five, and think, "That isn't really that long!" ha No matter how long/short it truly has been, it has been without hesitation, AWESOME! I love my husband with a passion I didn't even know on our wedding day. He is an incredible man. Though we don't always agree on everything, I have always respected him and what he stands for.

We watched our wedding video one afternoon last week, and it was pretty amazing to consider all the things that have happened in our family and friend's lives over the last five years. As the camera was panning the bridal party and guests, I couldn't help but get a little teary eyed thinking about all the struggles and joys "we" have experienced: marriages of friends and sisters, births of friend's children, nieces and nephews; deaths of a grandmother, an aunt, a mother, and children; infertility, graduations, etc. I know all these things are common to life; but it was kind of overwhelming to "see" these things with hindsight on the faces of our loved ones. On a funny note though, Andrew asked Ceilidh whether she was at the wedding just to see what she would say. She told us "No, Graeme and I are in your belly." I think she thinks babies are in their mother's belly from the beginning, just waiting for their time to be born! HA

At the start of May, we generally start talking about our anniversary and Ceilidh's birthday pretty frequently as they are both during the month. Ceilidh was quite inquisitive this year about our anniversary and why we celebrate. She didn't quite understand why she didn't get to celebrate with us, so when she told us Friday morning that she wanted to take us out to lunch so she could celebrate too, we couldn't turn her down! ha On the way to Chick-fil-a, out of the blue Ceilidh says, "Mommy, its my pleasure to take you to lunch for your anniversary." HAHA She is one funny kiddo!

Thanks to two of my wonderful sister-in-laws, Andrew and I got to celebrate alone Friday evening. I seriously felt like I was going on my first date while I was getting ready. ha I was all nervous about what I was wearing, whether my shoes were going to work, etc. Unlike my first date though, I had a two year old following me around begging for makeup and helping me with my hair. I haven't felt very pretty the last 8 months, but sweet Ceilidh gave me the courage to put on my heels instead of sandals as she kept telling me, "You're so pretty mommy. I love your dress mommy. Can I wear your shoes?" Caitlin and Susanna came over at bedtime and Andrew took me to Carolina Crossroads at the Carolina Inn. I was super excited to eat there as they have AMAZING food, and Randy and Suzanne had hosted our rehearsal dinner there the night before the wedding. After a shrimp and grits appetizer, succulent scallops, and a delicious pork chop; we of course rounded the night off with a little Caribou. Without a Caribou trip on January 14th, 2004; there would have been no wedding and no five year anniversary to celebrate! ha As we drove down Franklin St., we saw a group of kids (I think sober surprisingly), doing the cha-cha slide on the sidewalk! Only in Chapel Hill!

It was a great day of celebrating! I wish our professional pictures were on my computer, but here are a few candids from that wonderful day in May, five years ago.