Saturday, April 12, 2008

Happy Anniversary!

Five years ago today, I married my man and became a mother to Mason and Evan, then 14 and 11 years old. It was an absolute fairy tale day for me.

When Gary proposed, he asked me to "Become his wife and to become a mother to his children." Mason and Evan were right there beside him with big ole' grins on their faces. At the wedding, they were Gary's best men. We gave them pendants during the ceremony and made a pledge to our new family. They gave the most heartwarming toast at our reception. It was truly a day celebrating all of our new lives together.
When Evan found out that I would want a special dance with him at the wedding, he asked if we could rehearse. My college roommate, Gena came over several times and we choreographed an awesome little number for the big event. Evan even added the Top Hat and Cane for full effect. It was so much fun!!
And I couldn't find a picture, but Mason came up with the brilliant idea of "joking the whole reception." When Gary and I started our first dance in a very romantic moment, we had the DJ switch to "Baby's got back" and the WHOLE wedding party turned around and started shaking their butts. Hilarious!! (Edited to add "butt dance" picture! Momma found one and scanned it for me!)
I had always thought I was going to be married right out of college....and start havin' babies right away, of course. God had other plans for my life, and I don't regret being single through out my twenties and early thirties. In fact, I found "me" during those years.

So, even though I got married years away from my "timeline" when it came time for my actual wedding day, I never once thought "Why couldn't we have found each other sooner?" All I remember thinking is PURE JOY that we had found each other. Later, I would hold onto to that thought all during the adoption process. I knew I would not spend the rest of my life thinking, "If only I could have been there for their first x-amount of months." I just knew that the day I got them, I would again experience PURE JOY!



How FULL is my life now! I have two amazing older boys that are phenominal and have taught me so much, including how to be a good Mom. I have two little boys that exhaust me during their most quiet times and fill me with joy all of the time. And at the center of it all, is the most, wonderful, supportive (he does all the laundry and cooking!), hardworking hubby around.


I love you, Gary! Thanks for filling my life with so much JOY!

14 comments:

Heidi said...

Awwwww!!!! I love your wedding pics, you look gorgeous! And so cool to include the other boys in the ceremony. Love the Baby Got Back part too!

Steph said...

Oh Donna!! What a beautiful post!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!

The pictures are gorgeous and how sweet are those boys?!?!? You have such a special family.

Dena said...

happy anniversary - you were a beautiful bride!

Rachel said...

What a beautiful bride you were!

Greta Jo said...

Wow, Donna- you sure were a beautiful bride. What a wonderful post about a 'big' part of your life. Thank you so much for sharing.

I too had timelines...UH!

Happy Anniversary

Bobbi said...

What a wonderful post. (you forgot the tissue warning). You were a beautiful bride. And, you are a beautiful couple.

You have five very special boys in your life. I think you are pretty lucky. The older boys are lucky to have you, and how wonderful that they broke you in before Austin and Logan came along.

Sometimes things don't turn out as we plan, but usually the result is worth the wait. Looks like that was oh, so true for you. Happy Anniversary!!

Oh, and why didn't the butt dance surprise me?!?!

Gwen, Jenny, & Mia said...

What great pictures! You look BEAUTIFUL and Gary's not that bad either : )! Happy Anniversary!

Oh and it doesn't suprise me you had them switch to baby got back - you are one funny girl!

Victoria and Joe said...

what an amazing post... You write beautifully

Tina said...

Happy Anniversary! What a beautiful day you had to kick off many beautiful years together.

Guatemama said...

Happy Anniversary!!!
What an amazing tribute to your whole family. It was so neat to see your wedding pictures too. Looks like it was a magical day. So happy for you all.

I had a timeline too and boy am I thankful that it didn't work out in my time or I wouldn't have my two Guatemalan gifts. Someone did tell me how nice it was of me to watch my Grandchild during the day though. OUCH I am 38!
Tracy

Robin said...

You just made me cry!
Thanks for those awesome photos and sharing your memories.
You were and still are just so beautiful!

Happy Anniversary!
XOXOXOX
Robin

Samantha said...

Thanks for the add-I love new friends. Your family is so beautiful! I love your post-what a wonderful wedding day. And of course you look beautiful!

Tam said...

Happy (belated) anniversary!

LouLou said...

Donna, what a sweet post! You were a gorgeous bride...... Everything looked so wonderful. Thanks for sharing..........