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Monday, September 18, 2006

Eight Years Ago Tonight...

...I was enjoying the company of almost all of our family. I lived in Albuquerque at the time and our back yard, on this evening, was transformed from a dusty desert mesa to a beautiful, candlelit garden oasis.

We had spent hours making tamales and chocolate dipped strawberry’s along with carne’ adovada, guacamole’, and all the local flavors. We had strung lights throughout the back yard and decorated with tiny candles hanging from the porch and on all the tables. It was absolutely stunning. Sadly, I can’t lay my hands on any of the pictures.

Most all the women were in the kitchen making last minute adjustments for this occasion. My best friend from college was trimming sparse grass with SCISSORS. It’s the desert, mowing is rarely necessary. My best friend is a bit OCD when it comes to perfect environment and I love him for it! Paul and I also had a friend in town, from my years in Baltimore. All my immediate family was present and all Paul’s immediate family was with us as well. We even had some extended family in town for this evening.

This was our rehearsal dinner. We were preparing to enter into marriage and I’m happy to say the very best years of my life.

My favorite memory of our wedding was our rehearsal dinner…because I remember it. I barely remember the actual ceremony. I know my brother (who performed the ceremony) spoke about Adam and Eve and the first ‘marriage’ and he cried and I was very touched and moved and so very hot! I remember bits and pieces from the overwhelming reception that had grown from my ideal small wedding of 70 to about 150-175 people. My husband has a LARGE family.

But the rehearsal dinner was this low key event where I could spend time with people and actually visit before the rush of activity the following day. I was able to give my sister a very special ‘scrapbook/journal’ of our journey to this day and we cried together reading through the book. I was able to visit with each person there at length, something I was unable to do at the reception. I didn’t have to pose for pics or smile for an audience. I could just sit back, enjoy the music and ambience and visit.

My husband and his ‘crew’ left a bit early to go out for an evening of fun and frolic and I had opted out of the “girls’ night out” festivities choosing instead to visit with these dear friends and family of ours. We stayed outside til late in the night and while I still didn’t sleep a wink all night, it was a magical, wonderful evening.

Tomorrow I celebrate eight years of wedded bliss with my wonderful husband Paul. He has taken the evening off and we are going to see a new musical “The Rock and the Rabbi”. I had mentioned it to my husband in passing some time ago and he purchased tickets for our anniversary evening. I was floored! I figured we’d squeeze in dinner and a movie on the weekend before or after….oh no…my wonderful husband is missing work and school to take me to a musical (not his favorite thing to do in the world).

I can’t imagine being any more happy and IN LOVE than I am at this moment and yet I know beyond a shadow of a doubt our journey is nowhere near over. Our love will grow and I look forward to each and every day…til’ death do us part…

Happy Anniversary Honey! You are the very best of me!

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary yall. I have never seen a couple more in love than you two and I wish you both all the happiness that life and love has to offer.

Have fun at the musical.

HeyJules said...

Kim, have a wonderful time at the musical and happy anniversary! May your best days still be ahead of you.

Chris said...

Happy, Happy Day!!!

Ain't love grand???

:0)

pdiddy said...

Well you beat to the punch. I do love you.

pdiddy said...

I meant: You beat me to the punch.

someone else said...

Your faces are so very sweet in that last picture. Happy, happy anniversary!!

Kari said...

To Paul and Kim, may God continue you to wrap you in happiness, love, trust, communication, and most of all friendship. Here's to another eight years... and another eight... and another eight... and, oh, you get the idea! Wishing you a wonderful time of celebrating your romance. Blessings to you both!

Brigitte said...

Congratulations Kim and Paul!! We also celebrated eight years in April. May God continue to bless your marriage in the most amazing and beautiful ways!! God Bless.

Sally said...

Many many congratulations Kim and Paul... and blessings for may years to come...

Diane Viere said...

Well, Happy Anniversary you two!

Diane

Shalee said...

Happy Anniversary Eve! Oh it's so good to see the love flowing between you two!

Come on... Post a full wedding shot! I love me some wedding pictures!

the voice said...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY PAUL AND KIM!!! May God continue to bless the both of you!

tam said...

How on earth did I miss this...I was back and forth on your site yesterday just waiting for a new post!

In addition to the email I sent you...Happy Anniversary you two...

What blessings you are to all those around you, me, my children and all those "babies" at church you watch over and shower with love! And so many many more!

Thank you for sharing your sweet moments with us and that last photo of the two of you...

Love is so grand!

Dawn said...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! What a great guy you have there - a lot like mine! May you have many more years!

Rachelle said...

What a wonderful memory!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

Sarah said...

Happy Anniversary! What wonderful memories you two must have - and you continue to make them! Enjoy your special day.

Kristen said...

Happy Anniversary!!! And congratulations! Sounds like it was a wonderful evening (the rehearsal dinner, that is). My wedding ceremony is kind of a blur, too. Kinda sad when it's hard to recall one of the most important days of ones life, huh? :-)

I love that picture of you guys at the end. Very happy, handsome looking couple! :-)

So, guess what? I reached my 125 comments! :-) Thanks for your support! ;-)

great2beme said...

Kimmers,
Happy Happy Anniversary. Thanks for the happy reminder of all that transpired on that special time in your life. My favorite is that Blake called your friend "Aunt" Duke and adored him from the moment they met. Also, finding out on that trip that my hubby and your friend were long distant relatives (small world) It was a great wedding take my word for it I remember it all. Have a wonderful celebration.
Love You!

Grafted Branch said...

Happy Anniversary! I just love that last shot -- so artistic what you've done with it.

Look at his expression, will ya'? That look says, "This is forever."

GiBee said...

Awwweee -- Happy belated anniversary Kim!!! Blessings to you and your heart mate!