Saturday, September 20, 2008

11 Years!!

My beloved friend married me 11 years ago today.
It was sunny and breezy - the weather was perfect for an outdoor wedding. I only know because of the pictures :-)
Everything went absolutely perfect! It was a late start because all our guests were busy visiting and enjoying the reunion. I hear that there was the usual wedding scurry - the missing salad, the forgotten curls, the late bridal party...
I wouldn't know.
I planned on getting married even if there wasn't enough punch!

Adam-Jon had a friend deliver a little pink bottle of perfume to me. It had a tiny rosebud and ribbon tied to it!
I could see him outside with the pastor as I peeked through our living room blinds. We were married at my childhood home - it was lovely!

My sister Mattie Grace was four years old and stood up front with her little flower girl basket.
After a time she stood beside me and took hold of my skirt in her fist, so I unhooked it and held onto it with my free hand.
Before long, she stood directly facing the pastor and took hold of AJ's hand as well!
There was no one in the world but me and my beloved, and miss Mattie!
It made some sweet memories (and pictures!)

My mom made colorful flags which lined the gravel road and waved exultantly in the breeze as we drove past on our way out - the beginning our future life together!

I am truly the most blessed of women to stand beside this man.





















I thought he was perfect back then, and I am still of that opinion!
After 11 years of precious times and difficult ones I have many many more reasons to believe it!

Lord, If you are willing, please grant us many more years together. Thank you!

And... I love you babe!

13 comments:

Mommy Reg said...

Happy Anniversary!
I remember hearing about your wedding. I had just married Daddy Reg 4 weeks earlier - in my in-laws backyard. I love outdoor weddings.

Diane said...

Now I want to see a wedding photo! Happy Anniversary!

Ashley said...

Happy Anniversary Analene! (and A.J.!)

Alterton Scottish Terriers said...

11 years! Wow, so fast! Yours was one of the prettiest weddings I've ever seen. And I remember Mattie up there too - my sister Charity was three I think and the way Mattie loved you both looked so familiar. Such a pretty dress ... who could blame her for wanting to touch it? Congrats!

Katie said...

I remember your day well too! I believe I helped Bronwyn with your flowers? I was excited to see your engagement finally reach your wedding day as I was newly engaged and needed some encouragement;-) Your marriage, friendship and encouragement that we would also make it through our engagement meant a lot to me. Your wedding was fun and you looked beautiful and completely in love!

Love you guys!

Grace Cartwright Aspinwall said...

oh my goodness, analene. wanna know something funny?
my dear friend angie harbert and i reunited for a weekend, yesterday EXACTLY. know when the last time was that we were together in chico?

your wedding day :)

Anonymous said...

I adore that drawing that Mattie drew from the photo of you and her on your wedding day. It's such a sweet picture.
Happy Anniversary!
~Emmy

Diane said...

I was at your childhood house today and saw your wedding picture. Very cute pic! So, I am satisfied now...I got to see your wedding pic!

Love you Analene!

Mommy Reg said...

You make me smile, so... I have given you an award. Stop by my blog and pick it up.
Blessings!

SarahJane said...

11 years! It seems like yesterday and yet it has been a "lifetime" since that special wedding day. It is so fun to still be connected, even if just through the blog world for now. Lord's continued blessings to you and your family, Analene Rose!
love ya

Momma Bug said...

Katie Dear, yes!
How you blessed me by helping Bronwyn with the flowers - I was so delighted with them on that day!
You too, have been a dear friend to me, and it is with great fondness that I think on our first years of marriage and our friendship with you and Josh.
Happy 10th to YOU two this last Summer!!!
Love you!

Sarah Jane, I am so grateful for your friendship too, and I am even more thankful for your continuing friendship since you stod with me as honored witness!
I love you too:-)

Grace, I can't believe it! That's a good story - Emma is friends with Angie as well. I can't believe it has been 11 years!

Diane, if I figure out how to scan pictures into my computer, I'll post some oldie goldies!
I'm glad you satiated your interest at Mom and Dad's.

Thank you Faith. You were there too, and how neat is that? I was at yours, and then some years after that we were standing up together at my brother and your sister's wedding! What great memories!

Dearest Mommy Reg, I can't wait to get over to your blog and see this award! I never got an award before!

Love you - every one of you!

Thank you each so much for making my day today!!!

Love,
Analene

Uncle and Auntie Hightower <>< said...

Happy Anniversary sweet Analene! I am sooo proud to have you for my sister. I am sooooo PROUD OF YOU!!!!!

Uncle and Auntie Hightower <>< said...

It feels like it was just the other day sometimes huh... How did all these years go by THIS fast!