Eleven Memories

Eleven years, married. I told Tate the other day that I felt like this last year has been one of the hardest and he looked at me like I was crazy. Just proves how different we are, in what we perceive and how we forgive and forget.

So anyway, eleven years. Despite a bumpy road, I know that I wouldn’t want to be on it with anyone else. It’s not like it would really be any less bumpy with anyone else.

Here are a few memories from our wedding day, which was seriously one of the most fun days ever.

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.

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 little. 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, because I detest those 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.

I ate a Wendy’s double hamburger with everything except onions for lunch with my hair all made up in my veil.

I remember that our photographers followed us in the bus to where we were going to take some outdoor pictures. When we got there (to historic downtown St. Charles), we changed our minds and decided to just keep drinking on the bus. (Sorry photographers! How annoying for you!)

And since I honestly cannot remember anything else from our wedding day because I’m ELDERLY, from now on I’m going to start including a memory from our life together.

When Tate and I were trying to get pregnant for the first time, I thought I might be pregnant. We waited to take the pregnancy test until I got back from a girls’ weekend. When I pulled up to the house, Tate was waiting outside for me so excited for me to come inside to take the test. We sat on the bed holding hands, giddy with anticipation and waited those five, agonizingly long minutes to see the results.The test? Was positive.

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Originally published four years ago with seven memories, for our seventh anniversary and three years ago with eight memories, and two years ago with nine memories, and last year with ten memories.