19 Years!

Nineteen years ago, I promised to love this man for the rest of my life.

I was an immature little girl, but somehow I knew that I'd found a treasure. It was the easiest promise I've ever made.

He is the best husband a girl could ask for and I can't thank God enough for sending him to me 23 years ago.

Happy Anniversary my love!

Anniversary Pictures

About three weeks ago Jon and I had our anniversary date. We couldn't think of anything to do, didn't care for any of the movies being shown, and weren't really wanting to leave Cookeville.

So we decided to check out some new cycling routes for Jon and see if we could find some photo ops for me.

Below are some of the things we saw on our drive.

 Not really sure why, but I love old barns. Maybe it's that element of urban decay.

 One of the more functional barns. It even had a beautiful horse.

 "I walk a lonely road, the only one that I have ever know. Don't know where it goes, but it's only me, and I walk alone." Green Day

We finished up with pumpkin donuts and pizza that we took home to the kids. It certainly wasn't a typical anniversary date, but we had a lot of fun and that was the point.

Photo A Day Challenge Day 1

Together

We've been together for 20 years.

Today was our 17th wedding anniversary. We've been together for 20 years and married for 17 of those years.

The picture was rather impromptu  since I remembered at the last minute that today was photo a day and we always take a picture of us on our anniversary. So no make-up or nice camera, but it works.

We had a great day today that I'll try to post pictures of a bit later. But I wanted to try doing the photo a day challenge again this month. So this killed two birds with one stone.

16 years ago

A long, long time ago a really amazing man asked me to marry him. After I said yes we needed a nice church to get married in. We were living in different states and once married would be attending a new church. Our wedding was going to be family and only a few close friends. The church I was attending had pink seats, gold chandeliers and glitter on the ceiling. Not my first choice for decor. So I picked a small country church about an hour from our home. 

 Many years ago my parents got married in a church in Maryville, TN that was designed after a church in England. 

 They were the same age as Jon and I when we got married.

When the small group in Centerville, TN decided to build a church they followed the plans for the Maryville church. It was perfect.

So a couple of weeks before Christmas our family went to my parents for the weekend. On a whim we decided to visit this church instead of the one I attended growing up. Jon and I hadn't been back in the 16 years since our wedding.

A kind soul offered to take our picture in the same spot as one of our wedding pictures. 

We've aged and weight a bit more now. =)

Marrying this man was one of the best decisions of my life. I've never been sorry.

Just a bit of irony that we thought of as we were leaving to come home - we moved our wedding date from December 15 to September 1 because we missed each other so much and didn't want to put off the wedding any more. Our visit back this year fell on December 15.

Anniversary Trip

Yesterday was spent the usual way until about 5pm. Then Jon and I left the kids with a babysitter and headed out for an evening together. We do some pretty unusual things for dates, but were having a hard time figuring out what to do. We finally settled on a road trip, of sorts. 

Years ago before we had kids we'd take the car or motorcycle and drive around the countryside. We'd explore unfamiliar roads, talk, take pictures, and enjoy the beautiful weather. So we decided to do that again this year. We drove for almost two hours stopping only to take pictures.

We followed it with dinner, shopping and a movie. But my favorite part was still the drive.

Here are a few pictures from our trip.

 I have the most patient, tolerant man.

Love this guy!

 Not sure if this is poison ivy or not. I'm not allergic so I don't pay attention.

I broke several vines trying to see better into the house.

Later I realized and tried to wash my hands with hand sanitizer.

Hoping that works enough to keep Jon from getting it. Because he's terribly allergic.

Happy Anniversary my love!

I can't wait for the next sixteen.

Oops!

I was going through my pictures and found some more Charleston pictures. I can't believe that I forgot to blog about these.

After eight years of living near the beach I thought that I would miss it more. 

But I had missed my mountains so much that I have yet to miss the beach.

Every year (before we moved to NC) we would vacation in Florida.

And while I love the beach I think I can live with only seeing the beach once a year as long as I get to live in my mountains.

Jon and I thought that since we were so close to the beach that we should at least go by. As we were driving there we remembered the Morris Island lighthouse and decided to check it out.

It was a bit of a hike out to the beach and even then it wasn't close enough to get to.

I'm a mountain girl all the way, but I'll admit that there's nothing like the sound of the waves and the feel of the salty ocean spray.

The infamous painted houses. I guess I never saw the attraction. It's just a row of pastel houses, but apparently Charleston is known for them.

The leaves were just starting to turn when we came back through the mountains. It was a beautiful ride home.



 
My weird tunnel picture.