Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Five Years! Really! Five of them!

Five years has always been a big deal to both of us. Somewhere, we'd heard statistics saying that if you make it to your fifth anniversary the chances of divorce decrease by some huge percentage. So we'd looked at each other and said we'd celebrate that one big. (Also the 10 year, because that one dropped it even further.)

It was perfect. I knew it would be. Scott's been working on our anniversary plans now for almost a year. He booked our room at the Anniversary Inn back in November, I think. Or was that when he called to confirm the reservation, only to find out they'd lost it? Oh well. That's another story.

So the night before, Scott leaves to run an errand. And, since he asked me for the car wash certificates, it left little mystery about where he was going. When I queried him, he just said, "Gotta get things ready for my big date tomorrow. ...You need to be ready to leave the house by 8:45." He was up early on Friday, and when he got home to pick me up, I saw he'd bought the car paint and decorated our car: "Just Married" in big, white letters. Underneath in red, it said "five years ago." For the rest of the weekend it was fun to see people point, smile, and honk.

First, he took me to Bridal Veil Falls. He knows I'm obsessed with learning how to take better pictures -- and right now I'm experimenting with the manual mode -- so it was the perfect treat. Here's some of the better shots:


...Yes, we have an independent sitter on our hands. She just keeps growing up. I think she started right at the end of July/first of August and had it mastered before we knew it -- quite literally. I was expecting to need to still support her one day, and she just sat. And sat. And sat.

After taking pictures, we wandered in Riverwoods and South Towne Mall, toured all the Anniversary Inn Suites, dropped off Betsy at my parents' place, changed for dinner at the hotel, and then went to the Melting Pot. Wow! Our first time there. Incredible. We exchanged presents at the restaurant... sort-of. I got mine, anyway. His will get here eventually. After a while, we picked Betsy up and went back to the hotel.

Everything about the weekend was utterly blissful. I think we need these getaways more often. Life just gets too stressful, and it weakens marriage. Nothing is more important than marriage, and nothing is entitled to ruin my relationship with my husband. ...If only we had the money for such extravagant getaways more often. Guess we'll have to tone it down for our next excursion. Here's hoping it isn't in the too-distant future.

12 comments:

Emily said...

I'm a fan of your pictures, and my! your husband looks handsome in that picture. ;) Betsy's hair always looks really red in pictures, but not so much in person (that I've noticed anyway...).

Jill Skouson said...

Beautiful pictures Mickelle! Happy 5th Anniversary.

Chelsea said...

happy fifth! congrats!

Lisa said...

CONGRATS on the 5 years!!! I'm so happy for you guys! And your pictures are just beautiful! Betsy has gotton so big! I can't wait to see you guys - hopefully its soon!!!

Erin said...

Congrats! Every time I see a picture of Betsy I want to come borrow her for a little while...would you mind?

Annie and Berkeley said...

Happy 5 year anniversary! That is big deal! Way to go you two! Alos, fantastic pictures! Maybe you could take some pictures of Berkeley and I. I would be willing to pay. The most recent professional pictures we have together are from our wedding...3 years ago. We'll talk more! Congrats again!

JEREMY AND SARAHLYNN said...

Wow. Five years really is a landmark! I love what he wrote on the car. So fun! And I think August is the best month to be married, not like I'm biased or anything. ;-)

Robnz Fam said...

Ok, so that did make me feel a little better ;0). Did that really happen to you??

Happy 5th! Seth and I are just a few days away from the 5th ourselves. Betsy is a beautiful baby you two, I'd love to meet her in person someday!! I'm really, really missing my little Emi, these pictures of little Betsy don't help at all ;0). She is such a cutie, I bet you can't get enough of that lil' angel!

Robnz Fam said...

That's so great!!!

I tagged you :0)

Michele Sekaquaptewa said...

That is such a Scotty thing to do! What fun. Looks and sounds like you had a good time, and in Provo of all places! Wow, five years. That means around five years ago I left on my mission. Crazy!

P.S. If I had read your note sooner I would have totally prepared more for you to do. Come on a day that's not mine and Kory's date night and I'll totally have you do all sorts of things! It was fun to have Betsy there too.

Michelle said...

Congrats on 5 years!! Seeing that pic of Betsy sitting on her own just reaffirms to me how quickly they grow up and really makes me get all nostalgic and feel like my baby is growing up too fast! She's soooo cute by the way!

dolittle said...

Happy anniversary! So THIS is where all the baby pictures went to...