One Year

A year ago today, I married my best friend. I know it is cliche to say but there isn't a better way to put it. He isn't just my better half but my essential other half. I don't know whether to say "I can't believe it has been a year" because it has felt longer or shorter but I know it has been memorable and amazing. Saying my "husband" still seems new to me and doesn't always come naturally but now he isn't only my husband but the father of my son. He is a dad. An amazing one at that. 

Our wedding is still a fresh memory in both of our minds. I would love to relive it and wouldn't change a thing. Celebrating your love with all of your family and friends is an unbelievable feeling. I love looking back at pictures and reminiscing. 

Speaking of pictures, our honeymoon pictures always put a smile on my face. On the rainiest of days, I flip through the album and hope to take a trip again soon. 

This year has been full of house projects, mini trips, fun times with friends and the birth of our first son. Pregnancy is tough on the strongest of marriages but it brought us so much closer as well as knocked down all barriers of modesty for better or worse :) Geoff was so supportive and strong through the longest of days. Even when I claimed to look like a manatee, he promised I was beautiful. Labor and delivery was painful for both of us, physically and mentally. I couldn't have done it without him. He may never be able to look at me the same... but the end result was worth it, one hundred times over. 

Geoff's experience with newborns was nonexistent but he has become an amazing, loving and patient father. The way he sings to Harper and entertains him always puts a smile on both of our faces. I know he is going to be an excellent role model.  

I recently purchased Pistol Annie's newest CD and the song "Loved by a Workin' Man" is a perfect summary of our marriage. I will have to say my working man does the dishes and laundry whenever needed...

He ain't much on roses but he'd walk a country mile
To pick a handful of white flowers that would make his baby smile
He won't do the dishes but he'll sweep you off your feet
And he'll make you feel like the prettiest thing that he's ever seen

Cause he knows how to treat his woman
And he knows how to make ends meet
He'll take you for a ride in his four-wheel drive
And he'll fix about anything
He likes to get dirty but he cleans up good
He drinks with his buddies but he prays when he should
And there ain't nothing better than
Being loved by a workin' man

He don't write love letters but he loves to make things right
With a heart the size of Texas, two arms to hold you tight
He won't do the laundry but he'll keep your car real clean
And he'll make you feel like the prettiest thing that he's ever seen

Cause he knows how to treat his woman
And he knows how to make ends meet
He'll take you for a ride in his four-wheel drive
And he'll fix about anything
He likes to get dirty but he cleans up good
He drinks with his buddies but he prays when he should
And there ain't nothing better than
Being loved by a workin' man

Cause he knows how to treat his woman
And he knows how to make ends meet
He'll take you for a ride in his four-wheel drive
And he'll fix about anything
He likes to get dirty but he cleans up good
He drinks with his buddies but he prays when he should
And there ain't nothing better than
Being loved by a workin' man

I love my workin' man

 

I do love my workin' man. I always will. Happy one year Geoff! Cheers to many, many more! Let's hope the cake tastes as good as I remember!

Like a Polaroid Picture

By far my favorite purchase for our wedding reception was our Fuji instant camera. We toyed around with the idea of a photo booth but decided against the structure of it. With the instant camera aka Polaroid our guest could take pictures and either keep the pictures or leave them for us to enjoy. 

For less than $100 we were left with even more memories. 

Only 2 days until Thanksgiving! 

Our Past & a Look Into Our Future

Geoff's sister put together a great video comprised of pictures from each of our childhoods and our lives together. We got to watch it at our rehearsal dinner. It brought tears to both of our eyes. Watching it now has a whole new meaning because in a few months we will have a little one of our own. Will he/she have Geoff's hair and my eyes? I hope he/she has Geoff's temperament...  

Thank you April! 

The Details

It was such a relief being able to share our big news with everyone the past few weeks. I have never been good with telling lies and have felt rather guilty not to mention a bad friend. Bailing on plans, not answering phone calls, pouring the occasional "mocktail" was not easy for me. Now I just want the baby bump to start showing so I can have an excuse for the excessive wearing of sweat pants.

Until my posts become about pregnancy, babies and everything associated with the two, I would like to share a few more wedding posts.

Our ceremony and reception would not have been what they were without all of the details. I will admit that I planned for months, learned how to sew, and had a dining room table and guest room that was unusable for months. This doesn't count the tornado that I left upstairs at Geoff's parents house. We wanted it done our way. Blood, sweat, tears and champagne. Lots of champagne.

Geoff and I touched every detail and because of that were extremely proud how everything turned out. 

The hours spent driving from one thrift store to another, sewing yards of fabric, being covered in glue and counting down to our big day were 100% worth it. People will see your hard work and know the love that went into every single detail. 

I wish I had even more pictures. 

Our Reception

Our overall goals for our wedding was for everyone to have a great time and for it to 100% represent us. We kept our ceremony simple and wanted that theme to continue. 

Immediately following the ceremony, while the bridal party and family was taking pictures, there was a cocktail hour. The bar was open and there was a station with appetizers including various dips, fruit, vegetables and cheese. None of which either of us tasted... 

Once our guests were seated inside, it was time for our first dance. "Amazed" by Lonestar was our song of choice. 

Neither of us are the biggest fans of being the center of attention and were nervous about our first dance. We choose not to take dance lessons and did not want anything formal.  We just did what felt natural. It was perfect. 

Another tradition we omitted was speeches except for my dads. He deserved the few minutes to stand in front of our family and friends and give his two sense. Sarcasm as well as a few embarrassing stories and the obvious mention of my American Express bills were all included.  

I have always had a lot of respect for my father and appreciate all that he has done for me over the years. "I loved her first" by Heartland was the perfect representation of that. 

Although we do not have pictures of the food, I was very impressed and so were our guests. We had a vision and the caterer was successful with the execution. The meal began with plated, fresh baked pretzels that were accompanied by a trio of mustards. A salad was served that contained a variety of caramelized vegetables with pepitas and an amazing vinaigrette. We opted for a slightly different lunch style that would demonstrate some of our favorite foods. We had three separate food stations. The first was a taco station that included a variety of meats, beans, rice and condiments. The second was a BBQ station that had pulled meats, rolls, and a vinegar slaw. The third was a seafood and pasta salad station. This allowed our guest to sample whichever they liked and everyone left satisfied. It is always hard to cook for a large crowd of people but it was pulled off perfectly. Togo boxes were packed in our car for us to eat once we got back to the hotel. I highly recommend that. We were starving and did not eat nearly enough. 

Following lunch everyone migrated outside to socialize and play yard games. 

Bocce ball and croquet were huge hits. I used to work in a restaurant that had indoor bocce courts. It is a simple game that can be played with a drink in hand. Geoff made the croquet set himself and it has always been a tradition to play when his friends come down to Florida to visit.  

One of our favorite parts of the day was being able to look around and see everyone having such a great time. 

We then "forced" everyone to come back inside so we could cut our wedding cake. My mom had a special cake made for us that I could eat. It was a great treat and I am already looking forward to eating the remaining slice on our anniversary. We chose to serve our guests cupcakes and provided a variety of toppings. The interactive decorating and no need of a fork worked perfectly. 

I will brag that Geoff kept it classy and only got cake in my mouth. I was rather nervous. 

An additional activity that we included was having a polaroid camera for the guest to pass around. We had cute props that were a big hit. It was so much fun as well as an inexpensive addition to the festivities. 

After everyone's sugar rush, the dance party began. We found a great local band called Wayward Reason. They were so much fun and were able to play our favorite songs. They got almost everyone on the dance floor, including my dad. 

The dancing continued until we were told it was time to depart. If it weren't for the bar running low, we could have stayed all day. 

I still have mixed feelings about our use of lavender to be tossed as we headed towards the car. It smelled amazing and looked great but took far too much effort to pick out of my hair and we still are finding pieces of it. 

A few of our friends got rather aggressive with the "tossing"...

We were both on cloud 9 with how perfectly the day went. 

Hiring a driver for the day was such a great treat. It eliminated the stress of us having to drive as well as having a family member drive us. A perk to having a noon wedding was that it was earlier than most other events and the driver was able to double up on weddings. 

We wouldn't have changed a thing. 

It looks like our friends had a great time as well. We love y'al!