Tin or Aluminum

Going back to our summer of fun 2010, I thought it only appropriate to write about our 10 year wedding anniversary, which we celebrated in August, on the 16 year anniversary of our first date. 16 years ago today. Wow. We have almost known each other for half our lives.

When we first got married I said that on our 10 year anniversary we would take a big trip. I mean big. Like Mediterranean cruise for two weeks big. That is just too funny now looking back. I mean I guess we could take a cruise like that now except that we have two kids and a house and jobs and all these more grown up things that we didn't have 10 years ago or really hadn't thought too much about at the time. We love to travel but we also love to travel with our kids and share with them what we see and do. Now that it is not to say that Chad and I won't take trips or get away together. Oh for sure we will and we do. It just strikes me as funny that I was so naive about what we would be doing at the 10 year mark. Maybe at our 25 year??

We may have actually taken a trip this year, just the two of us, or with some friends that were also celebrating 10 years. But this year it was a family trip again and one of great importance and fun. My brother got married on our anniversary in California. Yes, on the date of our 10 year anniversary and I couldn't have been more honored.

I mean really, what a more perfect way to celebrate our union with God and a wonderful first 10 years than to watch my brother and Emma start their journey together. It was such a special day and a special trip to California. More on that hopefully tomorrow.

To help celebrate our anniversary, David and Emma asked the pastor at their wedding to do a special blessing on us. Our family of 4 were together while the pastor prayed over us. It was a moving moment. Our accomplishments in the last 10 years were recognized. It was beautiful. It was just such a beautiful day all around and I love that we share our anniversary date with them now, forever.

Then the next day after the wedding we got to celebrate our anniversary together, just the two of us. My mom and dad took Anna and Nora with them to the beach. Chad and I spent a good amount of time learning all about Richard Nixon at his presidential library and then to dinner at a really great little Italian restaurant. To top off the night we went to see the musical, In the Heights, with David and Emma at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. It was a great day.

As I look around the room tonight and see my husband, daughters, and all that we have been blessed with, I am so thankful. And also so hopeful for the future. The next 10 years promise to be even more rewarding and probably also more challenging. We are ready for the challenge!