Four Incredible Years...

This is, hands down, my favorite photo from our wedding day. Fresh out of the temple, as newly-wedded as we could possibly be... And completely unaware that as much as we loved each other in that moment, it wouldn't be even a fraction of the love we were destined to feel as time went on.

Moments I cherish from our wedding day:

* that oh-so-brief time just sitting together alone in a lovely, quiet side room, just prior to being led to the room our ceremony would be held in. Just Joe and I, holding hands so tightly, knowing with deepest conviction that this was exactly where we were meant to be.

* the people in attendance at our sealing...Truly the most indescribable feelings even to this day as I reflect on each face I saw there that day. Dear family, loving new family, and the friends-- oh my girls, you know who you are. To my dying day, I will hold the memory of your faces there, having come such a long way to celebrate with me-- so selfless, so full of happiness FOR me...Powerful stuff, those memories.

* curling into Joe's lap in the back of the car as Rochelle drove us back to Columbia for the reception... huge petticoat off for the time being, Joe lightly stroking my cheek as I dozed for most of the two-hour drive... Waking up to hop out of the car at the fireworks stand in the middle of rural nowhere, in my wedding dress, to purchase sparklers for the reception... I love the randomness of it!

* photos with just Joe and I and Katie... Moments to simply BE and not fuss about the rest of the day's details.

* singing "Feels Like Home" for my new husband... Not as polished as I had planned, a bit raggedy when tears threatened, but the sentiment being so true and so real:

Something in your eyes makes me want to lose myself,
Makes me want to lose myself in your arms.
There's something in your voice makes my heart beat fast...
Hope this feeling lasts the rest of my life.
If you knew how lonely my life has been,
And how long I've been so alone.
If you knew how I wanted someone to come along,
And change my life the way you've done.

CHORUS:

It Feels like home to me, it feels like home to me,
It Feels like I'm on my way back where I come from.
It Feels like home to me, it feels like home to me,
It Feels like I'm on my way back where I belong.

* and then leaving the reception-- freshly-purchased sparklers lining both sides of our exit route, grins, hoots, smiles, last words from all our dear ones as we ran to the car, ready to finally be just the two of us... for the first day of eternity.

♥

Happy anniversary, Love. It's only gotten better and deeper and richer and more joyful. I'm truly blessed.


Photo by Kate Benson