9 wonderful years!

  Time is a tricky thing....I remember when Dave and I were newly weds and living in Monterey, California.  Dave was studying Chinese at the defense language institute, I was just settling in getting registered for school and looking for part time work. 

  We didn't have much, our dinning room consisted of an empty box with a table cloth thrown over it and two camp chairs beside it. It's amazing to think of how happy we were and yet it was a time when we had next to nothing. 

  As I reflect upon the years and all we have experienced together I become more aware of how special our bond is.  For me, falling in love for the first time, a year long engagement; apart most of the time keeping in touch through letters.... Our wedding day.  Exploring different parts of the country together, buying our first home, having our children and raising them together.  The sacrifices we have made together and individually for each other.  The fights and the making up.  Growing as individuals yet always sharing the growth with the other wether it be spiritual, intelectual or physical.  Discovering new interests together, we love picking out books to read out loud with one another or planning trips that we will take one day together.  I'm so greatful for the life we have shared and the woman I have become because of my husband who has encouraged me along the way.  

  Now there are many things I lack, and mistakes often outweigh the triumps however, there is one thing that I have done right and I am so glad I followed the inspiration I had 8 years ago.  For our first anniversary, like I said we didn't have much money so we decided we would treat ourselves to a nice dinner at a beautiful resturante along 17 mile drive.  However, in order to do this we made a rule that we would only give each other homemade gifts.  I decided to make Dave a memory box out of an old cigarete box I picked up from a shop and then covered with beautiful pictures of expereiences we had through the first year.  Inside the box I splurged and went out and found a beautiful small leather bound journal.  Inside the journal I wrote Dave a happy anniversary love letter and then included favorite memories that stood out from the past year.  I also promised that every year I would add a new love letter along with fresh memories we had made.  I'm happy to say that I've stuck to the tradition and that every anniversary I read to him my love letter and then we take turns reading through the memories we have made.  Some of them make us laugh and others bring tears of joy but everyone of them pull us closer together and remind of how our love has grown.        

Dave reading my love letter:)

Happy anniversary my love, you mean the world to me xoxoxox

I just love how romantic this picture is, taken in Edinburough for the military tatoo....