Anniversary Celebrations {Part 1}

Our anniversary celebration has been absolutely wonderful.... so far.  No, we didn't buy that Bentley, (and we weren't about to ask whosoever it was to move it so that we could get a picture), but I'd say it's been a great week.

It all started off with randomly getting free tickets to the (first) Ohio State game this weekend. I was doing a little happy dance! I mentioned earlier in the week Billy had work functions at night this week, so we couldn't celebrate until Thursday. When I got home from work I saw these waiting for me...

....balloons, wine already poured into glasses, and a gift bag. How cute are they?! I was so excited. I pretty much begged him to tell him where we were going for dinner and used the excuse that I needed to know what to wear...priorities, right? 

He told me we had reservations to have dinner at the same place where we had our rehearsal dinner (Eddie Merlot's-absolutely amazing) and that he also made reservations for Saturday to have dinner at the country club where we tied the knot!! I about melted. He did so, so good. 

Did I mention that these beautiful daisies are from Erica? I came home from work Wednesday and they were waiting on our doorstop with the sweetest card attached. She is one of the most thoughtful girls in the whole world and she definitely makes the rest of us look pretty bad... (thank you Erica! We love you!!)

Since I normally don't wear heels and fancy dresses all that often, I pulled out a dress from last year that I've never worn and hurried up and got ready because I wanted to give Billy one of his gifts before we left for dinner.

 Dress is BarIII from Macy's (last year) / shoes are Jessica Simpson..sorry for the terrible quality but I was in a rush. 

I decided to get Billy a golf club that he's talked about wanting for months and let me tell you, that was a smart decision. He was so happy to get it and now I don't have to go into Golf Galaxy anymore to hear about this putter that he absolutely needs... win/win.

 

He told me it was one of his favorite gifts that I've got him...who would've known?

I had to get a picture of Billy and Rocky together before we left...
 

and of course, the obligatory picture in the car...

It was our first time back to Eddie Merlot's since our rehearsal dinner and we decided we liked it that way. We could definitely eat here more because the food is seriously out of this world, but it makes it that much more special that we hadn't been back yet. We had at least 4 people come up to us and talk to us about our rehearsal dinner and they gave us such great service.

Oh my gosh..the drinks. THE DRINKS - delish. Billy had a seasonal wheat beer and I had a drink called 50 Shades (for real)...

I actually forgot to bring my good camera so iPhone pics had to do, but we had one of the best meals of our life. Just take my word for it and get Eddie's potatoes (mashed potatoes with cheese and jalapenos), the filet (yep-I did NOT hold back, I wanted to get exactly what I had at our rehearsal dinner so I decided to splurge and I'm not mad about it at all!), the roasted chicken (this is what Billy got and it was the size of like 3 plates), and the Sweet and Spicy Rock Shrimp appetizer.

We were loving it and could barely leave when we were done eating because we were in a food coma but somehow when our server surprised us and brought out this Red Velvet cupcake (it's a lot bigger than it looks in this pic) we managed to find room in our stomachs to eat it.... ;)

I mean we couldn't just leave it sitting there...

Worth.it.

It was so much fun reminiscing and was just overall a fabulous night. I will share more pictures next week (after our long holiday weekend!) about going to the country club where we got married and also a fun little "man basket" that I put together for Billy as another small gift. I act like this is just as exciting for you as it is for me (wrong), but just bear with me...

I hope you have a great holiday weekend!

PS-GO BUCKS!!

 

Three.Years.

 Today marks our three year wedding anniversary!

When searching for pictures of us "back in the day", I realized they should be in an album on Facebook titled "Pictures I never should have posted...", and definitely not made public.

Some of them I found were just...no. 

Some of the poses I made Billy do? Just no.

Anyway, what I'm trying to to say is, we went from this....

to this....

and it feels pretty good to look back to see how much we've been through, all the memories we've made, and to be where we are today.

I remember meeting Billy and being friends before we started dating. I knew exactly what I wanted, which was him. I was really confident that I would end up with him too, which is not like me at all because back then I was only sure of a couple things in my life. I would flat out tell our friends how much I adored him and I knew that we would end up together in the long run. It's so crazy to say that (and they all definitely thought I was a little crazy for it) because what were the chances?! I'm a girl who knows what she wants and luckily it came true. You could say I called it. :)

Billy is so supportive of me and there is never a day that I question his love for me. I'm so thankful for this. He is so good with making me feel loved and today (so far) has been no different. He woke up and went out to get me my favorite coffee and he has left me love notes around the house to find (under my pillow, in my car, in my running shoes!) everyday so far this week. We are celebrating tomorrow because he has a work event tonight, but I have no idea what we're doing because he won't tell me. He knows me well so I'm 100% sure it involves good food (I hope?!). 

Happy anniversary Billy - I love you, and am so lucky to be your wife!

 

 

TWO Years...

Today is our 2 year wedding anniversary!

(this week also marks 8 years of dating)

My first thought is: Where has the time gone? It has gone so fast!

My second (and the most important) thought is: How did I get so lucky?

and that is honestly how I feel today.
No, Billy isn't paying me to say all this. 
Although... kidding.

I feel so grateful to have this man by my side.

Two years ago, I woke up to realize I would be living my dream that day.

I'd have my Dad to walk me down the aisle, I'd get to have my best friends and family beside me, and most importantly-I realized I'd finally get to marry the man I've been crazy about since I started college. Sure, I was excited to put on my dress, to have my makeup done, to see all the little details we worked so hard on come to life, but what I was the most thankful for (and am today) is that I'm living my life with my best friend. 

I'm most thankful for you, Billy.

That we found each other and get to spend forever making memories.

I know what we have is so special and that we were meant to be together. 

Some people say I'm more athletic than you are (me), that I crack the better jokes (me), and that I have more talents (okay... just me, again), but I assure you just the second one is true this isn't the case. 
You are my better half. 

...so, let's celebrate us big time this week, ok? Let's go all out.

Maybe we could just stay in Cali and ship Rocky out there to join us and not come back for a month or two? 
I joke.

I'm stretching it.

I love you, babe.

Happy two years..
and many more to come!

all photos credit Banks Photography.
Please do not copy or use without permission.

{you can read Billy's surrpise anniversary post to me from last year: here}

xo.

Nostalgia {Our Wedding}

A little less than two years ago around this time, I had the biggest summer and fall ahead of me. I was about to marry the man of my dreams in August, have my dream wedding, and my bridal showers and bachelorette parties were around the corner.
Days were spent emailing friends, family members, organizing, planning, shopping, and more planning. Lately, I've been reminiscing on those times and how happy, anxious, and excited I was for everything we had been planning for, to finally come together.
That summer was by far the best summer I've ever had. I remember coming home from work and having countdowns with Billy, and of course practicing "our dance" in our family room. I remember coming home from my bridal showers and recaping every little bit to Billy and he was in awe of all the heartfelt and wonderful gifts that were now taking up space in all of our guest bedrooms and kitchen.
 These were special times I will never, ever forget.

This August, we will be married for 2 years, and I can't help but want to go back to that summer and do it all over again.
Marrying Billy was by far the best decision I've ever made in my life and I would marry him over and over again every summer, if I could. ...What do you think, babe? ;)
What parts in your life do you feel nostalgic about?

...In an attempt to fill this void I'm having, I'm going to take a trip back by sharing some pictures from some of my bridal showers, bachelorette party, and big day in a couple of posts here and there in the next couple of weeks. Looking at the pictures just reminds me of how much love was in the room that day. It was perfect for Billy and I, and that's all that mattered.

yeah, this happened...



Next post will have more wedding pictures... like these gems.
Two of my favorites. :)