Monday, May 12, 2008

Seven Years And Counting

Todd,

Seven years ago today we were standing in front of our families, friends, and God pledging our eternal love. We were posing for pictures, chatting with relatives, eating and drinking, cutting the cake, and cutting a rug. We were filled with not only our love for each other, but the love of all of those who gathered with us to show us their love, wish us the best, and help us celebrate the beginning of our forever. It was the best day ever.

But we always knew our marriage was not about the wedding. It wasn't about the dress or the tux. It wasn't about the flowers we picked out, the limo bus we had, or the thousands of pictures that were taken. It wasn't about the wedding rings we so carefully chose, the music we danced to, or even the food we ate. It was about the promise we made to each other and to God. It was about the covenant the two of us entered into and would spend the rest of our lives upholding.

Little did we know what marriage meant. We imagined that there would be difficult times. We knew life would get stressful. We knew there would be times we'd get on each other's nerves and drive each other crazy. We knew that having children could complicate a marriage. We had been told by many the challenges of marriage, and we entered our sacred promise with our eyes wide open. Still, we were surprised.

Being so naive and blinded by love on that day seven years ago we couldn't imagine the possibility of our overwhelming love growing even more. But it did. With every joyful occasion, every trial and tribulation, our love grew. With each deep secret, carefully guarded fear, and emotional breakdown we shared, our love grew. With each laugh, each heartbreak, and each milestone, our love grew. Our trust grew deeper, our connection stronger, our bond unbreakable. And it was a surprise. A pleasant surprise.

I can honestly say that I love you more today than I did the day I married you. I know my love for you will continue to grow with every year of our marriage. You are the most amazing man I've ever met. You are kind and compassionate. You are strong and spiritual. You are responsible and fun. You are my best friend.
I know the road will sometimes be tough. But it will be so much easier with you. I know we'll have many more wonderful, happy times too. And I'll laugh harder because of you. I am so grateful God brought me to you. Loving you is the best decision I've ever made.

Happy Anniversary, honey! I love you!










54 comments:

Kristen said...

What a beautiful couple you are!

Congratulations to you both, and wishing you both many more.

Enjoy your day together!

dawn klinge said...

Happy anniversary. You two are such a beautiful couple and your love is inspiring.

Laski said...

What a lovely tribute . . . and a gorgeous couple.

"It was about the covenant the two of us entered into and would spend the rest of our lives upholding." You so GET it. . . .


Here are to many, many more years. God Bless you on your anniversary!

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary to such a beautiful couple. Yes, outside, too, but as you said, it's the other kind of beautiful about your relationship and marriage that really counts, and I'm thrilled for both of you. Reading this I also remembered your wonderful story of how you met. So awesome. All of it. Hope you will be celebrating doing whatever makes you smile :)

lime said...

congratulations to you both. that you can say your love has grown through the trials and not just the joys really means something. bless you both and i wish you a lifetime of that love continuing to grow.

just jamie said...

You are a GORGEOUS couple, my oh my!

Happy Anniversary. So glad you both found such perfect love.

CC said...

AW!!!!!!!! Happy Anniversary!!

painted maypole said...

you two are SO cute! and that church... gorgeous!

Happy anniversary!

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Happy Anniversary to the beautiful couple! Beautiful tribute.

Anonymous said...

I see you've discovered why it's a sacrament. I love your writing, dear & happy anniversary to you both.

Your altar is gorgeous!

Blended in Texas said...

What beautiful pictures! Happy anniversary!

Kelly said...

Happy 7th Anniversary!! Those pictures are beautiful...you make an adorable couple. Enjoy your special day and may you be blessed with many, many more years to come!

Lisa said...

No wonder you have such cute boys!!!

You are so right...it's not about the wedding, but about the marriage. Here's to 70+ more years of wedded bliss for you & Todd!

Sharon - Mom Generations said...

Beautiful. Beautiful. And more beautiful. Your words, your sentiment, your photographs, your family, your love!

I will be smiling all night because of your beautiful post!

Congratulations...

Sharon - Pinks & Blues

Cassie said...

Oh what a sweet post! Happy Anniversary to the two of you!

Fire Hunt said...

Happy Anniversary! That is funny my Anniversary was may 11th, I am going to put it on my blog to night

Fire Hunt said...

Happy Anniversary! That is funny my Anniversary was may 11th, I am going to put it on my blog to night

Unknown said...

Let me just say that the church you were married in is gorgeous as are you two!!

I feel the same way about marriage and you said is so eloquently. Too many people just want to get married and forget all that goes along with actually being married. But obviously you are not one of those people! ; )

Happy 7th Annivesary!!

Brittany said...

Kathryn- I am sobbing. SOBBING! What an amazing letter. You're so blessed to have one another!!!

Andy and I's 7 years is in 2 months. Wow.

Nissa said...

Happy Anniversary, Kathryn! Love the ceremony pics, so beautiful!!

Kellan said...

What gorgeous wedding pictures - beautiful! You two are the nices looking couple!! Happy Anniversary - I hope it is wonderful! Take care- Kellan

McKenna Gordon said...

That church is GORGEOUS! Congrats on 7 years! We just turned 6 the other day.

Chaotic Joy said...

This is so lovely. Congratulations. And what a beautiful bride you were!

Tonya said...

Happy Anniversary and may you have many many more. Also what a sweet post!

Beck said...

Those are INCREDIBLY beautiful pictures. Happy anniversaries.

david mcmahon said...

Beautiful post, beautiful pictures too.

Happy anniversary!!

Mom24 said...

Happy Anniversary. What a beautiful wedding you had. How smart you are to know that marriage is about so much more. You wrote a beautiful tribute to what real marriage is.

Blog said...

OMIGOSH! You two are SO ADORABLE! Look at you!!! I so LOVE you!!! ;)
Happy Anniversary! What a beautiful, so-true post. :)

dawn224 said...

Happy anniversary - and those photos are beautiful :)

Missy said...

Happy anniversary! What a beautiful post, and you two are a lovely couple. :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post. Happy Anniversary!

Kelley said...

Happy Anniversary!

And thanks for your encouraging comment on my blog. I appreciate it.

Cynthia said...

Seriously, what a beautiful couple you two are:) Great photos, Happy Anniversary!

Melissa said...

okay you guys are one good looking couple! No wonder you have such cute kids!!!

imbeingheldhostage said...

Gorgeous photos-- that must've been one heck of a wedding!! Reading through your beautiful tribute, I would marry you! You are such a sweet, optimistic person-- you're an inspiration--and when I'm talking to my husband again (he moved my china cabinet with china IN IT), I am going to try to emulate you Kathryn.
Happy Anniversary.

Homegrown Tribe said...

Happy Anniversary... to a beautiful couple!

Brittany

Anonymous said...

Kat - You look gorgeous!!! And the church is amazing!

Happy Anniversary!

Anne B. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary! Beautiful photos - I love your hair!

Bren said...

Happy Anniversary!

You two make a lovely couple and I love the church pictures.

ConverseMomma said...

Happy Anniversary! True love shines from these pics. Beautiful!

Hilary said...

What a beautiful couple you are.. and what a sweet letter. Happy Anniversary.

María said...

Happy Anniversary!
And he has a great bone structure!

krissy said...

Your love is so beautiful. The pictures were beautiful. You are so beautiful with your words.

Just beautiful is about all I can say. And your spiritual connection is so beautiful. I cannot forget that.

Momisodes said...

Happy Anniversary!
What a sweet and touching post :)
You both make an beautiful couple, and those photos are just beautiful :)

Family Adventure said...

A beautiful post, Kathryn, just like your pictures. Happy (belated) anniversary to you both.

Heidi

Family Adventure said...

A beautiful post, Kathryn, just like your pictures. Happy (belated) anniversary to you both.

Heidi

Amy said...

Gorgeous pictures and a gorgeous couple!!
Happy Anniversary!

Medic61 said...

Happy Anniversary, and thank you so much for this post. It was really beautiful, and I hope that one day I'll find something like this, haha!
Also, I love the pictures!

Sandi McBride said...

Congratulations you two...a lovely couple and a fantastic wedding. And you're right...it wasn't about the rings and the limo and the crying parents...but you figured that out for yourself...good for you. Here's to 70 more!
Sandi
ps
David sent me by

suchsimplepleasures said...

what a beautiful post!!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to a gorgeous couple!!
xoxo

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

Happy Birthday. You made a beautiful bride. I just now found your blog, it is lovely

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

Happy Anniversary! Beautiful pictures.

Anonymous said...

I haven't been around much: my in-laws were here for 5 days and, well, basically, I didn't want them knowing I STILL have a blog. I moved to WP and told my MIL I'd drop my MSN blog, which, I had, but still, she doesn't know I MOOOOVED it.

Anyway, what I wanted to say was wow, guess what? You were married A WEEK after me. Crazy, eh? I think so. Love the pics!

Words To Live By

Be grateful for each new day.
A new day that you have never lived before.
Twenty-four new, fresh, unexplored hours to use usefully and profitably.
We can squander, neglect, or use them.
Life will be richer or poorer by the way we use today.
Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could;
some blunders and absurdities crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.
Tomorrow is a new day.
You shall begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be
encumbered with your old nonsense.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson