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Nine

June 2, 2010 By Rachel 30 Comments

Nine years ago I walked arm in arm with my dad, giggling and breathless and excited.

I couldn’t wait to get to the end of that aisle, to you, my soon-to-be husband, the man that had chosen me.

Nine years ago I laughed as the pastor repeated; “They both said, ‘I Do‘”  I snorted and rolled my eyes as our nephew rode the rail during the songs and played tic-tac-toe with the pastor during the candle lighting.

I sighed and rolled my eyes with you and giggled when the darn unity candles refused to stay lit.

I was able to laugh at the bridesmaids bouquet debacle and the candles and the ring-bearer and all of those other things not being perfection, because of you.

Because even then, I knew that the wedding was just the ceremony.  The wedding was the not so intimate moment of beauty and power and ceremony that we shared with our friends and family but, it was.. it is.. the marriage that defines us and truly matters.

My Rings

Nine Years have passed since we shared our first kiss as man and wife

The First Kiss 2

Nine years later, I still get butterflies.

Nine years later, you can still make me feel like the giddy 20 year old standing by the frozen San Marcos river, with the ice shining in the trees like diamonds in the moonlight as you held my hand, looked deep in my eyes and changed my life forever by telling me that you wanted me, only me.

Nine years later I still remember the moment you slipped the ring on my swollen, lime green cast decorated hand and told me that “No, I’m not kidding.  Will. you. Marry. Me?”

I also remember failing my final the next day.

I remember our first house, our second house, our third house ;-) each one was made a home because we were there, together.

I remember the first pregnancy test and the second.

I remember poems sent by email just because.

I remember Stargazer lillies on the table just because they’re my favorites.

I cherish that you make me believe in myself because of the strength of your belief in me.

Through your eyes, I see my beauty and power.

Through your kisses and hugs, I feel your passion.

This, is marriage.  This is what Nine Years have shown me.

The I Do’s, The wedding.. that’s just the first page… the rest of our story is up to us.

Thank you, Nathan.

I love you.

More today than yesterday, and more tomorrow, than today.

Then. Now. Always.

I. Love. You

Eighth Anniversary Post Here

Seventh Anniversary Post Here

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Filed Under: Nathan Tagged With: marriage

Eight. I’ll Take Eighty Please

June 2, 2009 By Rachel 29 Comments

rings

Last year I wrote this post and I can’t top it.  Every word remains true, every emotion, exactly the same.

Nathan,

I love you.  I love you more than there are words to express it.

I love that you wrote me a poem for no reason other than you love me.

I love that when I cry at Extreme Makeover Home Edition or a Hallmark Commercial you don’t laugh at me. Instead you squeeze my hand softly and smile the sweetest smile.

I love that when I’m at my worst you tell me: “I may not like you right now, but I will always love you”

I love that you think I’m the most beautiful woman in the world

I love that you make me feel as if I am the most beautiful woman in the world

I love that you made me a mother

I love that you support my dreams and get frustrated with me when I get down on myself

I love that you can still give me butterflies

I love that you buy me stargazer lilies for no reason at all, other than they’re my favorite

I love that after 11 years together, 2 kids, 5 cities and 6 houses you can still surprise me and make me feel like that giddy girl wrapped in your jacket, standing in the cold with the mist shining like diamonds in the moonlight and the steam rising off the river, our breath clouding the air between us as you told me I was the only one you wanted to be with.  You can still make my heart skip a beat,  my breath catch in my throat and my toes curl.

I Did then, I Do Now, I Will Always.

You are my Prince Charming.
Rusted, Dinged Armor and all.
You are my heart’s deepest wish and my little girl dreams come to life.
We are not perfect, but we are perfect for each other.
Thank you for your love, for your patience, for your laughter, your kindness, your understanding, your humor, your strength and your compassion.
I love you more now than I did then, but not nearly as much as I will tomorrow.
Forever and For Always.
Happy 8th Anniversary
From your very blessed wife,

Picture taken by me of my rings

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Filed Under: Nathan Tagged With: anniversaries, love, marriage

After The I Do’s: A Valentine’s Fairytale

February 14, 2009 By Rachel 14 Comments

In honor of Valentine’s Day and my amazing husband who has blessed me with more than I ever dreamed possible, the ability to stay at home, my children and supports me whole-heartedly in all my pursuits, I am re-posting my ‘After The I Do’s’ post. It’s his favorite post, and my original love letter to him.


June 2, 2001

Why I named this After The I Do’s. Well it’s a good question, here’s the answer.
In a fairy tale; the wedding, the I Do’s is always where it ends.. at happily ever after. Well, in my opinion, the “I Do’s” is not the ending, but merely the beginning of the amazing journey, the happily and medioc”rily” every after. ( yeah it’s a me word, deal with it)
Is it always a fairytale… hell no. But it’s sure never boring.
I had a great life before, but it really began…. After the I Do’s.
The I Do’s gave me depth and dimension.
He was already mine, so to speak. We were practically married as we were living in sin and all.. but we weren’t married and that’s the point. The I Do’s bonded us. We pledged before friends, family and God to be forever, to support each other, to be the sounding board, the supporter, the lover, the best friend. It’s a serious thing and at the same time the coolest trip you’ll ever take. I always said, “It’s just a piece of paper.” But come on, I was raised on these fairy tales and who was I kidding? Exactly.. nobody. But, little did I know just exactly how much “the I Do’s” really meant and what they would mean. They changed nothing and everything all at the same time.
My trip has been going on for nearly seven years (eightmarried, 11 together) now and I’m not an expert.
We argue.. we laugh.. we produced two amazingly beautiful and so far, funny kids. We laugh, we pout, we ignore.. but most of all we communicate.. we talk.. we laugh.. we share.
This is where the fairytales always end with the veil and the tux and the horse drawn pumpkin carriage.
I got my Prince Charming and I thank God every day that he didn’t let me screw it up, he rescued me, not from a fire breathing dragon… but from myself. (Thanks honey)
In a fairytale the kiss always saves the princess… well in this fairynotsomuch tale… the kiss gets the princess’ attention.. but the heart and the humor that is what sealed the deal.


June 2, 2001

My other two Valentines: Princess and Monkey: You make me a better person, you bring me joy and laughter and fill places of my heart that I didn’t know were empty. I never knew that I possessed love like you have shown me. For now and for always know that your smiles light the darkest corners, your laughter brings rainbows and the sound of your ‘I love You’s’ is more beautiful to me than any melody.
You are my most precious gifts and greatest accomplishments and I feel blessed to be your Mom:

princess

Monkey

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Filed Under: Everything Else Tagged With: love, marriage
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