Eight Memories

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Today Tate and I celebrate our eight year anniversary.

On the morning of July 14, 2001, I woke up very early, unable to go back to sleep due to the anticipation of this long awaited day. I went down to the hotel lobby to have breakfast. My dad happened to be in the lobby, so he and I ate breakfast together. Sitting there with just my dad before my big day is one of my favorite memories from the day.

Later that morning, I saw my grandpa. He asked me if I knew that July 14th was also my grandmother’s birthday, she’d passed away when I was just a young child. I hadn’t known that our wedding date was also her birthday, making the day that much more special.

My dress made me feel like a princess.  I wish I had a reason to wear it again.

When the doors of the church opened, Tate looked like he was going to cry. I’ve asked him many times since if it was because of my breathtaking beauty or his nerves…of course, he always answers correctly. It was all I could do not to ugly cry as I walked down the aisle.

At our reception, I told the DJ that I did not want to hear any music by AC/DC or Rush, two of my most detested bands. It didn’t matter if one of the reception guests requested to hear one of their songs, he was supposed to tell them that he’d add it to his list but then never get to it. He respected my wishes. Smart DJ.

We served a buffet dinner, which sadly I barely remember. I know I ate, I know that we had prime rib, but I don’t even recall if it was good. So sad to not even remember the food. I love reminiscing about food. What’s even more sad though, is that I only got one bite of wedding cake. I told Tate prior to the wedding that if he smeared cake in my face, he’d pay dearly. Tate respected my wishes. Smart Tate.

We decided that getting a limo to drive us to our hotel where we’d spend our wedding night would be silly. To save money, my mom drove us to our hotel. I remember laughing as she dropped us off, knowing what we were getting ready to go do for the VERY FIRST TIME. *ahem*

Tate carried me over the threshold. Thinking about that still makes my heart flutter.

A wedding is just one day out of a marriage, but ours was a WONDERFUL day to BEGIN our marriage. I had no doubt in my mind that I was making the right choice. I still have no doubt that Tate is my one and only.

Originally published last year with seven memories, for our seventh anniversary.

39 Responses to Eight Memories
  1. Mom
    July 14, 2009 | 11:53 am

    Happy Anniversary!! It was a wonderful day!

  2. kaitlynsage
    July 14, 2009 | 11:54 am

    Wow. You just made me teary eyed. Thanks for that.

    That sounds like the most lovely of days. Thanks for sharing!

  3. Jamie
    July 14, 2009 | 12:00 pm

    Happy happy anniversary to both of you! Love that beautiful photo! :)

    My husband drove us to our hotel in his old jeep adorned with inflated uh…condoms. Classy!
    .-= Jamie´s last blog ..Karaoke Jesus =-.

  4. Formerly Gracie
    July 14, 2009 | 12:23 pm

    Happy Anniversary! That’s a beautiful story, Playgroupie!

    We had our reception at the same hotel where we stayed. We didn’t do a big send off, so at the end of the night, it was like… “uh, I guess we’re going upstairs now. See-ya”.
    .-= Formerly Gracie´s last blog ..Never Go Grocery Shopping With An Empty Tummy… Or One Filled With Baby =-.

  5. Crystal
    July 14, 2009 | 12:49 pm

    That’s a gorgeous dress. Happy Anniversary!
    .-= Crystal´s last blog ..As Much Fun as a Broken Leg =-.

  6. Michelle Smiles
    July 14, 2009 | 12:52 pm

    Made me tear up a little.

    You look gorgeous!

    And I love the idea of a memory for each year…might have to steal that in October for my anniversary post.
    .-= Michelle Smiles´s last blog ..How to get Michelle to eat anything? =-.

  7. Amy
    July 14, 2009 | 12:54 pm

    Were you blond? I have a really hard time picturing you blond. I’m going to have to request a closer picture. :)

    My friend Barb says, “We’re all as blond as we can afford to be.”

    We’ve been married 8 years this year, too. 2001 was one heck of an interesting year to get married. Between all the political/global stuff that happened, and all the personal stuff that happened to us specifically, sometimes I feel like we got married at the very end of an era that is gone now.

    Happy anniversary!
    .-= Amy´s last blog ..Having Too Much Fun =-.

  8. Jennifer
    July 14, 2009 | 1:22 pm

    Amy, Yes, I was blonde. I only changed my hair color when I lived in Indiana!

    If I had the time and money, I’d go back to blonde, but it just takes too much upkeep.

  9. Di
    July 14, 2009 | 1:30 pm

    Happy Anniversary – what a sweet set of memories. If I’m not too clouded with new babyitis in September, I’ll have to remember this for our seventh anniversary.
    .-= Di´s last blog ..Motherhood is Hard =-.

  10. Kara
    July 14, 2009 | 1:41 pm

    Beautiful post. Happy Anniversary. Here’s to many more years of happiness and joy.

  11. MommyNamedApril
    July 14, 2009 | 1:44 pm

    this totally made me cry :-) what a lovely post… i think it’s awesome that you keep adding memories for each year!
    .-= MommyNamedApril´s last blog ..Cookout With the Inlaws =-.

  12. Carrie
    July 14, 2009 | 1:57 pm

    Happy anniversary!
    .-= Carrie´s last blog ..Done. =-.

  13. Jean M.
    July 14, 2009 | 1:58 pm

    Happy Anniversary! Great memories!
    We had left over cake and brought it home with us and then left for the honeymoon- A friend of ours cleaned our house while we gone and threw away the the cake away. I almost cried, as I really wanted to actually get to taste my cake.
    .-= Jean M.´s last blog ..The Day Book: Midnight Edition =-.

  14. Maureen at IslandRoar
    July 14, 2009 | 2:10 pm

    Beautiful gown!
    Happy Anniversary.
    .-= Maureen at IslandRoar´s last blog ..Crowning Glory =-.

  15. Kat
    July 14, 2009 | 2:17 pm

    Oh I love this post! Thank you for sharing your 8 memories with us.

    Happy Anniversary!!!
    .-= Kat´s last blog ..A Glutton For Punishment =-.

  16. Beth
    July 14, 2009 | 2:34 pm

    You did look like a princess! Happy Anniversary!

  17. the MIL in STL
    July 14, 2009 | 2:42 pm

    Happy Anniversary!! It was a beautiful day wasn’t it! Keep up with the memories for each year…..by the time you reach as many years as dad and I, it will be a miracle if you can remember them! Love to you both.

  18. Have the T-shirt
    July 14, 2009 | 2:48 pm

    Happy Anniversary!

    Love that pic :)
    .-= Have the T-shirt´s last blog ..Internet Etiquette – Your Opinion? =-.

  19. OHmommy
    July 14, 2009 | 2:51 pm

    awwww…. happy happy anniversary. your dress was gorgeous.
    .-= OHmommy´s last blog ..My cornea has HERPES. Heh. =-.

  20. feefifoto
    July 14, 2009 | 3:03 pm

    Happy Anniversary. Your dress made you look like a princess too.
    .-= feefifoto´s last blog ..It’s Bastille Day, And You Know What That Means: Time To Update The About Page =-.

  21. Michelle
    July 14, 2009 | 3:16 pm

    Happy Anniversary!

  22. Rachel
    July 14, 2009 | 3:32 pm

    I love the idea of 8 memories for 8 years. Absolutely romantic. Congrats.
    .-= Rachel´s last blog ..Forgiveness =-.

  23. kj @ Where my boys at?
    July 14, 2009 | 3:32 pm

    Lovely memories.
    I too had a “No Play” list for the DJ. One “no” song was Mony Mony by Billy Idol. Did not want anyone yelling the alternative lyrics at my reception, if you catch my drift.
    .-= kj @ Where my boys at?´s last blog ..7 Days :: day 4 =-.

  24. rachel-asouthernfairytale
    July 14, 2009 | 3:33 pm

    Congratulations Jennifer! (and Tate)

    HAve a wonderful day and here’s too many more!!!
    xoxo
    .-= rachel-asouthernfairytale´s last blog ..Crispy Baked Salsa Chicken =-.

  25. Busy Mom
    July 14, 2009 | 3:34 pm

    Happy Anniversary! It’s mine, too!
    .-= Busy Mom´s last blog ..The Teenager Zone =-.

  26. Jennifer
    July 14, 2009 | 3:34 pm

    Busy Mom, Happy anniversary to you, too!

  27. Cathy
    July 14, 2009 | 3:35 pm

    Happy Anniversary!

    and thanks for reminding me – today is the 14th. Library books are due! Now – I’ve just got to find them…
    .-= Cathy´s last blog ..Weekly Winners – The leaping lizards! We went to see fireworks! Edition =-.

  28. Nap Warden
    July 14, 2009 | 3:43 pm

    Dang girl…look at that dress! Gorgeous!
    .-= Nap Warden´s last blog ..Conference, Clothes, and Cards =-.

  29. amy2boys
    July 14, 2009 | 3:43 pm

    Happy Anniversary! You look so pretty – the gown is stunning.

    What a sweet post.
    .-= amy2boys´s last blog ..Comforter =-.

  30. Domestic Extraordinaire
    July 14, 2009 | 3:47 pm

    Happy Anniversary to you guys! I laughed out loud when I read the memory about your mom dropping you off at the hotel.

    Can’t wait to see you in a little over a week.
    .-= Domestic Extraordinaire´s last blog ..On My Way =-.

  31. nuckingfutsmama
    July 14, 2009 | 4:35 pm

    Congratulations & happy anniversary! You were such a gorgeous bride!
    .-= nuckingfutsmama´s last blog ..No More Training Wheels =-.

  32. Mad Woman
    July 14, 2009 | 4:52 pm

    Happy Anniversary! I got tears in my eyes reading through that and seeing that gorgeous picture of you. You definitely looked like a princess.

    May you both have many great years ahead of you :)
    .-= Mad Woman´s last blog ..Random Tuesday =-.

  33. Jen
    July 14, 2009 | 8:52 pm

    Happy Anniversary!!!
    .-= Jen´s last blog ..officially official. officially. =-.

  34. Tara R.
    July 14, 2009 | 9:31 pm

    Congrats on your anniversary! Sounds like the most perfect wedding day.
    .-= Tara R.´s last blog ..Send to five people… =-.

  35. Mama Bub
    July 14, 2009 | 9:40 pm

    Love, love, love that picture with your wedding party in the background. Happy Anniversary!
    .-= Mama Bub´s last blog ..Open Letter to the Pets =-.

  36. Karly
    July 14, 2009 | 10:24 pm

    Aw! Happy anniversary!
    .-= Karly´s last blog ..Things That You Should Know =-.

  37. anymommy
    July 14, 2009 | 11:06 pm

    Happy, happy anniversary. Wonderful wedding day, but even better, a wonderful marriage!

    I’ve thought the same about my dress…I’d love to wear it again.
    .-= anymommy´s last blog ..Birth Control =-.

  38. Amo
    July 15, 2009 | 1:44 pm

    So sweet!
    .-= Amo´s last blog ..He’s going to be the death of me. =-.

  39. Stephanie
    July 22, 2009 | 1:55 pm

    It’s a funny thing. I don’t really remember the food from our wedding either (we’re going on 8 years this January). I think it’s such a whirlwind experience that you barely have time to eat, let alone to savor the meal.
    .-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Tuesday Tours: What’s Happening on the Web =-.