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.
Mom
July 14, 2009 at 11:53 am
Happy Anniversary!! It was a wonderful day!
kaitlynsage
July 14, 2009 at 11:54 am
Wow. You just made me teary eyed. Thanks for that.
That sounds like the most lovely of days. Thanks for sharing!
Jamie
July 14, 2009 at 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!
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Formerly Gracie
Twitter: graceduffy
July 14, 2009 at 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”.
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Crystal
Twitter: kidthingsnet
July 14, 2009 at 12:49 pm
That’s a gorgeous dress. Happy Anniversary!
Crystal´s last blog ..As Much Fun as a Broken Leg
Michelle Smiles
July 14, 2009 at 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?
Amy
July 14, 2009 at 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!
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Jennifer
Twitter: playgroupie
July 14, 2009 at 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.
Di
July 14, 2009 at 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
Kara
July 14, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Beautiful post. Happy Anniversary. Here’s to many more years of happiness and joy.
MommyNamedApril
Twitter: mommynamedapril
July 14, 2009 at 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!
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Carrie
July 14, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Happy anniversary!
Carrie´s last blog ..Done.
Jean M.
July 14, 2009 at 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
Maureen at IslandRoar
July 14, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Beautiful gown!
Happy Anniversary.
Maureen at IslandRoar´s last blog ..Crowning Glory
Kat
July 14, 2009 at 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
Beth
July 14, 2009 at 2:34 pm
You did look like a princess! Happy Anniversary!
the MIL in STL
July 14, 2009 at 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.
Have the T-shirt
July 14, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Happy Anniversary!
Love that pic
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OHmommy
Twitter: OHmommy
July 14, 2009 at 2:51 pm
awwww…. happy happy anniversary. your dress was gorgeous.
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feefifoto
July 14, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Happy Anniversary. Your dress made you look like a princess too.
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Michelle
July 14, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Happy Anniversary!
Rachel
July 14, 2009 at 3:32 pm
I love the idea of 8 memories for 8 years. Absolutely romantic. Congrats.
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kj @ Where my boys at?
Twitter: KJ_is_GFree
July 14, 2009 at 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
rachel-asouthernfairytale
July 14, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Congratulations Jennifer! (and Tate)
HAve a wonderful day and here’s too many more!!!
xoxo
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Busy Mom
July 14, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Happy Anniversary! It’s mine, too!
Busy Mom´s last blog ..The Teenager Zone
Jennifer
Twitter: playgroupie
July 14, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Busy Mom, Happy anniversary to you, too!
Cathy
July 14, 2009 at 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
Nap Warden
July 14, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Dang girl…look at that dress! Gorgeous!
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amy2boys
Twitter: amy2boys
July 14, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Happy Anniversary! You look so pretty – the gown is stunning.
What a sweet post.
amy2boys´s last blog ..Comforter
Domestic Extraordinaire
Twitter: DExtraordinaire
July 14, 2009 at 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
nuckingfutsmama
July 14, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Congratulations & happy anniversary! You were such a gorgeous bride!
nuckingfutsmama´s last blog ..No More Training Wheels
Mad Woman
Twitter: MadWomanMeg
July 14, 2009 at 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
Jen
Twitter: jayesel
July 14, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Happy Anniversary!!!
Jen´s last blog ..officially official. officially.
Tara R.
July 14, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Congrats on your anniversary! Sounds like the most perfect wedding day.
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Mama Bub
July 14, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Love, love, love that picture with your wedding party in the background. Happy Anniversary!
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Karly
July 14, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Aw! Happy anniversary!
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anymommy
July 14, 2009 at 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
Amo
July 15, 2009 at 1:44 pm
So sweet!
Amo´s last blog ..He’s going to be the death of me.
Stephanie
Twitter: Stephanie Sheaffer
July 22, 2009 at 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.
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