Happy fifth anniversary

Preface

While I usually stick to a regimented schedule for anniversary posts, this one is belated. Chad and I spent the past ten days in Colorado and I was without my computer for the majority of the time.

(Yes, it was blissful.)

Our anniversary came and went on September 16. As expected, it was wonderful. Not only did we get to spend an entire week in gorgeous Grand Junction, my parents also took us out to dinner at 626 on Rood to celebrate. The meal, the service, the ambiance—and especially the sparkler-topped cake—was fabulous in every way.

So this note, while delayed, was very much communicated in other ways: in-person, in tradition, and very much in-love.

Thank you for reading this ode to my marriage, a belated five-year anniversary post.

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Five years ago, Chad and I tied the knot.

We exchanged vows we wrote ourselves, ate the yummiest mini donuts, laughed and cried with family and friends, and used the dance floor as a necessary means to keep warm as the mountain air turned from brisk to frigid post-sunset. Our backdrop was the scenic fall-colored vista of our childhood, honoring an easy transition from high school sweethearts to newlyweds.

It was a hell of a party.

And today, I’m proud to report that our wedding day was just one of countless highlights over the past five years. Our life together has been a mix of excitement and fun, along with quiet doses of comfort, challenge, and growth. We’ve had a lot of parties since, in both a literal sense and the way you might say buying a house during a pandemic is “super fun.”

This is maybe all to say, you think you know a lot at 22. And you do. I know I did. But there was no way for me to see this coming: an eruption of appreciation for every step of evolution we’ve taken, together, and often without even realizing it.

Now, I’m blown away by what our love and our life looks like now. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to keep choosing each other every day.

From the mountains of our hometown to the shores of a big ass lake, I’ll follow you anywhere. I love you always, Chad. Five down, 5ever to go.