Twelve years ago on January 17th I said "I do" to my best friend and soul mate. Ever since I was a little girl I had dreamed of that day. I had saved pictures of beautiful wedding gowns, thought of every detail right down to my bouquet, and envisioned the cake my mother would create. However, I didn't really have an idea of just how exciting it would be to look down the aisle to find my best friend smiling at me…waiting to take my hand…just as excited to begin our journey. I remember it just as though it was yesterday. In the months before the wedding I remember reminding myself to be sure to stop to take time to really absorb the way the church looked, how John looked waiting for me, and to really look around at all of the faces of our family and friends. I wanted to truly capture that vision in my heart and mind forever. And, I did. "Miss" Emily was playing the piano and gave life to all of my favorite Jim Brickman songs with her beautiful talent. Of course, I had rehearsed the walk down the aisle with my daddy so many times in my mind. I can still remember driving home each day from the nursing facility where I was the director of social services…listening to the song we would be walking to as my daddy led me to John. I knew the exact moment I wanted to start walking…it was etched in my mind…I knew there was no way I would miss it. I did! And, I cannot even say that "we did" because even daddy had memorized it because he knew it was so important to me to begin walking at just the right moment. He even turned to me a couple of times and said, "Isn't this it?". I would just look up at him, shake my head and quietly say "No, not yet.". Again, he asked me…and, again, I replied the same. And, all of a sudden I realized…I…had…missed…it. Yes, I had missed the exact moment in the song. We have laughed about this many times. John has even teased me by saying he was beginning to wonder if I had changed my mind. haha I was so disappointed, but most people probably did not even realize it. It was just one of those "little things", and if you know me well, then, you know I am "big" on the "little things in life"…it's all in the details!!
I was so excited about my mother creating our wedding and groom's cake, as I had always looked forward to us planning them together. She used to teach cake decorating classes and also had a business designing all kinds of specialty cakes for birthdays, weddings, and other events. I think I was one of her most difficult "clients" though! haha I can remember her pulling out all of her beautiful cake books and talking to me about so many different options and details. It was a bit overwhelming, I suppose, because I just could not seem to make up my mind. She finally had to give me a little push to really start the planning process. The morning of the wedding we drove to the Officer's Club so she could set up the cakes. Oh, goodness, trying to avoid any bumps along the way…it was a long drive! And, to think, I used to be that little two year old girl that would crawl up in the dining room chairs and eat the roses she had created for cakes, and on that day we were setting up my beautiful cake adorned with roses…for my wedding! When we were home from Germany close to our first wedding anniversary she pulled out the cake she had saved for us. It was just as yummy! She makes the best cakes!!
I love this picture of us. It is one of my favorites. I have always said that the best thing in life is to look up to find him smiling down at me. I love this man! I love the way he smiles, the way he teases me (Although he can sometimes make me crazy with this part!), and the way he encourages me and nudges me to spread my wings and grow in so many areas. He listens to me…he gets me…even when I think he doesn't. We each have our own strengths and weaknesses, and I love how we fill in the gaps for one another. I love how we talk about starting a family one day and how I feel when I think about how he will be with a little one. And, I love how much he loves our sweet furry baby Tucker…he's just as crazy about him as I am. Tucker became a part of our family not long after we were married. We were living in Germany, and John knew I needed someone at home to look after me when he was deployed and such. And, ever since that snowy night when we went to pick Tucker up…well, he's been the most wonderful heartbeat of our souls. I love John with all my heart and soul, and I also appreciate him…how hard he works, how he wants the best for us, how he thinks about me in so many ways…all the little and big things he does for me.
The above picture is one from a trip to New York a few years ago. We have seen many beautiful, fun, and exciting places together. When we were dating John told me he would show me the world one day, and he does just that. We have built a house together, bought a 100 year old house and redone parts of it, lived in foreign countries, and created a "home" in each place we seemed to have landed for the moment. And, now, to be back in my home state…well, this girl is loving "Sweet Home Alabama" once again! Thank you, John, for bringing me back to my roots! This year we celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas with our families…in OUR home this time! And, when we have chosen or were faced with the harder, more difficult path, we have walked it together becoming stronger and holding hands a little tighter. These are just a few little tidbits of the many things that make up these last twelve years…this part of our story…our song. I am so thankful to be walking this journey with John, and I feel so blessed to share my life with him. John, I look forward to many more lyrics, many more tidbits, joyful moments, many more of those "making me crazy…ready to pull my hair out" experiences (ok, we don't have to have tons of these…haha)…because for every moment I share with you I am truly in the exact spot I have dreamed of, the exact place I want to be…standing right next to you…looking up to find you smiling down at me! And, as I have shared before, I have this vision I always have in my heart of us…God is always walking with us, holding each of our hands…always keeping us connected and guiding us along our journey.
I love you, my Sweet Baboo!! You are my SUNSHINE, MY ROCK, AND SO MUCH MORE!
(Yep, if you've been reading my blog for awhile you will remember that I shared this little name with you before! 🙂 ) You don't have to tell the guys that I call him this! 🙂
Thank you to all of you that left such sweet wishes on Facebook on our anniversary!! Each one meant so much to me.
Much love,
2006~2010 Copyright Ann~Margaret's SpecialTea Shoppe.
Please do not copy/use photos, text, or images (graphics) without permission.
Please feel free to link to my blog. Thanks so much!