Happy Together!

On September 10, Kurt and I celebrated 15 years of marriage. We decided together that we would celebrate in a thrifty way. At first we just planned to go out to dinner. I didn’t think that would be too bad, but really wanted to mark the occasion with something a little more special and out of the ordinary.

I decided to surprise Kurt with a “Trip Down Memory Lane” to all the places we’d been “Happy Together!” It started with a  card explaining to him that we would be literally driving to all the locations. With the card were 15 envelopes (one for each year of our marriage). Inside each envelope was a clue to a location (i.e. Where we first met, Where the girls were born, etc.).  After he opened the envelope we would drive to that spot and talk about our memories of that time or place. Once there we took a picture of the spot – even if it wasn’t there anymore (Like the Bellevue Red Robin where we had our second date. It is now a Neiman Marcus.)

On the last card, it said, “The rest of our lives…”. We had the best time together, remembering where we’ve come from and dreaming about what lies ahead.

We truly have been so happy together!

Some pictures from the night…

	Our first date
	The church where we were married (remodeled, but still there)

Our first house
	Here’s to many more years together!

Fabulous 40!

As my birthday was drawing nearing all year, I had been dreading the moment when I would officially turn (dun, dun, dun, duuuuuun) FORTY YEARS OLD. Why it was bothering me so much, I can’t fully say – just the stigma of it, I guess. I don’t think it has had anything to do with ‘looking’ older. I mean really (if I can say it without bragging) I feel like I look better at 40 than I did at 30. No, the issue has been more ‘being’ older.

Well, to celebrate my birthday Kurt and I took my two best friends and their husbands (Bryce & Elke and Kyle & Terra) out to a big Sushi dinner in Bellevue. Afterwards we went to a fancy bowling alley (with all kinds of music, lights and big screen TVs) and we just had a blast together. Being in the company of these people was so easy for me. Family is a huge blessing and I love my family deeply, but these are people in my life that I have CHOSEN to love. I am so grateful that they have CHOSEN to love me, too. What a special night it was!

Also earlier in the week, Terra had taken me out for a day of pampering. After a yummy lunch and a stop at Starbucks, she treated me to a pedicure at Gene Juarez! I joked with the lady doing my pedi that I was a Gene Juarez virgin. ;)

Elke had surprised me with a beautiful book filled with affirmations (my love language) from all kinds of people I’ve known throughout my 40 years. She had collected the thoughts, memories and verses secretly and then presented the book to me and sat with my while I read them and cried. It was so special and so humbling.

My Mom & David sent me birthday money and My Dad & Joan sent earrings that Dad made for me. Lots of other friends have blessed me with various gifts and lunches/dinners out, even a special canoe ride on Lake Washington. Oh, and let’s not forget that Kurt’s birthday gift to me is a trip to Hawaii still coming in January!!

It’s crazy how blessed I have felt. So on this side of the birthday, I’m thinking… if ‘being’ older includes becoming more aware of how loved you are, then it must not be so bad after all.

Thank you to everyone who helped make my 40th so very special! I love you all so much!