Anniversaries gone by...

Shortly after arriving in Germany, Matt and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary. I still can't believe 14 years have gone by. We have covered a lot of roads in that time. Literally and figuratively. We decided to keep it fairly low key this year,

what with the move and some other travels we had been doing (due to Matt's job). We went out to dinner, alone!, which hasn't happened in a long time. So that was very, very nice. Even though we kept it low key this year, we are planning a very nice getaway weekend (just the two of us...NO KIDS) for our 15th anniversary.

Matt kept with tradition and bought some lovely roses. I do so love getting flowers!

Here is an "old" picture :)

I loved and still love my dress. It was a very classic style at the time, but my favorite was the bow. One night, after we had just gotten engaged, Matt and I were sitting on the couch at his Mom's house going over bridal magazines. So much fun for a guy, I am sure. But it was an exciting time, we were getting married!! So I am sure he humored me. Anyway, I asked him what sort of wedding dresses he liked. We looked at lots of different designs, and he finally told me that he wasn't that picky...but he WOULD like a huge bow in the back. I am not sure why, even to this day. Whenever I ask him, he just says that he liked women who wore bows...they are feminine. Well, soon after I canvased the bridal shops with friends, trying on all sorts of dresses. I just could never find the "one". Or I would find one, but it wouldn't have a bow...or it wouldn't look right on my body type. So eventually my Aunt Alice (whom I love so dearly) got involved. She is an amazing seamstress, and had sewn several ball gowns for daughter's in-laws. She mentioned that she would be willing to make my wedding dress. Within a couple of hours together, we had found a pattern I liked in a style that I knew was flattering (AND it had a bow!), we found a beautiful, delustered satin, Lace for the overlay and special ordered some lace that matched the overlay for the edges. After a summer of sewing countless hours, my dress was ready. It is still one of the most beautiful dresses I have seen, to me. I love it, I love all the memories it brings back when I see it and touch it, I love the LOVE that was put in to making it. I am and will always be so grateful to my Aunt for playing such a huge part in making my wedding day so special. She did an amazing job, and I ended up with the perfect dress!

When ever we move, I take out my dress and make sure no damage has been done and that it is still holding up in storage well. This year, I happened to take it out while the girls were around, and they all wanted to try it on. I remember trying my mom's wedding dress on when I was a young girl. I felt like a princess in that long, flowing dress. So when my girls said they wanted to try on my dress, I excitedly agreed.

Above is Anya and below are Hannah and Cora