Midsummer Eve

Alright, I must start this by saying their happen to be a set of lights from Ikea that my husband has been lusting after every time we go there (which is maybe once a month. Again, it is one of those things that is strangely fun as an adult). I didn't understand at all why we needed these lights so bad. Now I do and I want them too! You will see why in a minute. 

My husband looking at those lights in Ikea. 

Midsummer Eve by Edward Robert Hughes

I don't know exactly why, but I have liked this picture for years and years. I first saw it on a card in a stationary store. My father bought me the card simply because I liked the picture. A few months ago AllPosters.com was having a sale, as they frequently do, and I got a 16x20 print of this painting for $5. 

I finally got a frame for it and Dan hung it up above the kitchen sink for me. 

A close-up of the frame because it is pretty. It really matches the print beautifully. It is a bit decorative and regal, yet rustic at the same time. The slightly metallic finish enhances the painting's own luminescence. 

There it is in my kitchen! Now! See the shadow from the cabinets? It is shading the upper third of my beloved picture! I never noticed this shadow before we hung the picture! Those lights my husband wants? They would go under the cabinets and eliminate that shadow. My husband is brilliant. 

Valentine's Day 2012

I don't know all the history of Valentine's Day. I just think of the holiday as generally American and it has never been a big deal to me. The first year Dan and I were together he was all excited about Valentine's Day and I truly didn't understand why. As it turned out that first Valentine's Day was our one month anniversary. I didn't remember, but he did and when it came around he gave me a bar of chocolate, a handmade card and a heart pendant that he had made himself and inscribed with our initials. Wow! 

So, Dan and I celebrate Valentine's Day. That first year was amazing, the two years after were a bit awkward, but this year was really great. I think the more we use the time as an excuse to celebrate our love rather than an obligation the more comfortable it is. And this goes for anniversaries too. 

A little more than a week ago Dan and I were talking about romance and he said something to the effect of me trying it myself. So, instead of hinting to Dan what I wanted to do for Valentine's Day I decided to just do it. At first I really didn't want to because I was afraid of messing up somehow and making things unromantic. Oh. I started to understand how Dan must feel when he makes the plans! I shared my concerns with Dan and was re-encouraged to plan our date. 

I got myself some flowers. Dan bought me a plant once. I don't think he has ever bought me flowers. Dan is amazing at taking care of me and showing me love in so many other ways that I finally realized that if I want flowers in my life I can't wait any longer, I have got to get them! Saturday night we were at Sam's Club (which is oddly fun when you are an adult...) and I picked up a bouquet, admired the beauty... and set them back down. Then Dan said, "Those are beautiful." I picked them back up and smiled all the way home. 

Sunday I made us dinner to eat at home. I thought it would be fun to make dinner together and I started getting internally upset when Dan wasn't helping me (we women are too good at not expressing our desires and then getting upset when they aren't met!). Then all of sudden he comes in the kitchen and starts washing dishes. Wow! This was actually so much better! By the time we sat down to eat the kitchen was clean. This enabled me to really relax and enjoy dinner so much more!

My husband washing dishes!

Our dinner. Delicious Quinoa burgers. 

Not the most "romantic" food, but we heartily enjoyed it all. Any anyway... I had plans for later.

After dinner I took Dan out to see The Vow. I was a bit anxious about him possibly not liking the movie. Walking in to the theater I am telling him for maybe the third time, "Now I am not expecting this movie to be great. I just thought it would be a fun movie for Valentine's day..." Well, I didn't need to worry! He ended up liking the movie. And *ahem* he has no problem making it clear to me that he does not like The Notebook. So, yes, he actually liked the movie, he wasn't just saying he did because he was with me. He even told me he was able to relate to the main male character. This is a man that loves me and would without a doubt keep his vow to me if anything tragic were to happen. 

Moving on... after the movie I took Dan to The Cheesecake factory for dessert. Neither of us had ever been there before. The atmosphere and decor was quite classy and the food was excellent.  The intention was to just have cheesecake, but were a little hungrier than we anticipated so first we ordered Margherita bread. Yum! (I really need to learn how to make that at home. It can't be too difficult at all.) Then we were still hungry so we ordered some delectable shrimp. And finally we ordered cheesecake. Dan got chocolate with strawberries on top and I had banana cream. We would recommend The Cheesecake Factory!

At The Cheesecake Factory. 

I forgot to bring my card! And Dan had his, but hadn't signed it, so we agreed to exchange cards two days later actually on February 14th. When we did exchange cards it was quite a sweet moment. 

And I was far more excited than I initially realized to receive a WIFE card!

As I read it it just kept getting better and better. And then I had to read it a second time. Whoever wrote this card knows how to get to a wife's heart and my husband made it even better (a million times better) by adding his own words as well. I will be keeping this card for a very long time... probably forever. 

Engagement Pictures: What I learned

(I was totally trying to schedule this post for later this week... but that didn't work! I guess you get two posts today)

I had meant to finish writing this and post it before the wedding... but it as it turns out your very own wedding WILL turn you in to a crazy person a few weeks beforehand no matter how relaxed you thought you were. So, anyway...

Early on in the wedding planning I insisted on a hiring a photographer and I was going to be incredibly picky with regards to that photographer. Afterall, I graduated with a degree in photography and this is my wedding! There won't be a chance to do it over so I had better get good photos. Well, after hours of tears and searching I finally hired a photographer.

There was much rejoicing! I was going to get my pictures and they were going to be wonderful and we were going to look beautiful and perfect! And then we had our engagement session (a mere month before the wedding) and I learnerd... err... had to face reality.

Yeah, we can sorta look like blog people, but we are still really dorky (out of 50 pictures my photographer gave us I think I like maybe 5, those are the ones you see here) and I guess I don't actually like looking like blog people. It feels fake because it just not who we are. I like our real life.

We are so mushy! It is ridiculous. You would not believe we have been together 3.5 years. But hey, maybe that is a good thing too. I hope we never get sick of holding hands and kissing. I just wish we had some great pictures where were both looking at the camera.

I look so much younger than Dan! I think he looks his age and he is actually three years younger than me. Just yesterday someone thought I was in highschool. I get that a lot, but for some reason I didn't see it until I looked at our pictures. Of course everyone tells me this a good thing too. (I am sure it will be... it is just right now it is hard to get people to take you seriously when they think you are 16.)

So, in conclusion... I learned a lot. We are young and in love and have plenty of time to get our pictures done again. And even if we never do, we have a great life together that I wouldn't trade for a million perfect photos.