Dear Babe,
Five years, really?
Holy cow.
Remember the day we got married,
later that night, when we finally took a deep breath,
excited that all the wedding charades were behind us,
and now it was just us…
Remember when you asked me,
Where do you think we’ll be five years from now?
I didn’t know how to answer.
I was just so happy, right there in the moment with you
knowing I would have you for eternity.
I would never lose you again.
For the first time in my life I wasn’t obsessing about the future,
so I turned the question back on you.
Me: Hmm, I’m not sure–what do you think?
You: I think we’ll have traveled the world. And we’ll have two kids. And we’ll own a home. And I will be a Statefarm agent and you can stay home and write your book. And we’ll go on lots of adventures. That’s what I think.
Me: I think that sounds good.
You: Yeah?
Me: Yeah.
It’s funny how things change.
How nothing on that list went as we initially planned.
How what you think you want out of life evolves as real life unfolds.
Our paths have changed so many times over these last five years,
and I think we both like that–I think that’s what works for us.
Change.
Constant evolution.
Progress.
Growth.
Together.
Even if our adventures don’t necessarily involve the Seven Wonders of the World,
we’ve learned that there are still lessons to be learned
from wrangling a toddler and teaching him to be a big boy,
from perfecting a diaper change in the pitch dark,
from starting our own business and figuring out how to
create a separation between work and home,
and even in the art of creating a simple home cooked meal.
These are our adventures now.
We’re like Lewis and Clark
on the frontier that is parenthood.
And there’s no one I’d rather have by my side on this adventure.
You make me happy.
And I love you, obviously.
Muah.
xoxo, lee lynn
_______________________________________________________
5th Anniversary Date Night Agenda
1. Leave Baby W with Grandma for the night.
2. First ask Baby W’s G-Ma {my momma} to snap some pictures of us.
3. Head to Ruth’s Chris for our very first fancy schmancy dinner together {seriously, in five years we have never been to a fancy restaurant where you order everything a la carte}. Order my fave: Creme Brulee
4. Stop by the mall to see if Tiffany’s is open…just in case. It’s closed, but that’s okay because we score some goodies for Baby W at the Disney store instead.
5. Head over for a Chinese Foot Massage…which turns into an unexpected full body massage…with my clothes on…and we are in the room with 6 other people also getting massages…which was strangely fantastic…and even more strangley, not awkward or uncomfortable at all. In fact, let’s go back tonight, mmkay.
6. Get home at 10:00 and find Baby W forcing his eye lids open so he can say night-night to us. He doesn’t go to bed for another hour because he is overwhelmed with excitement at the unfortunate discovery of the Disney Store bag.
7. Finally head to bed at 11:30 and…cuddle.
Now scoot over hubs, and let me take a quick outfit post.
Jeans: Paige Denim, Shirt: Forever 21, Blazer: Express, Shoes: Reflection, Bracelet: Tiffany’s, Other Bracelet: Lisa Leonard Designs, Necklace: Lisa Leonard Designs, Purse: Big Buddah, Love Pillow cover: LMM Shop.
Because I am. And I’m excited. Are you going?
gin
Happy anniversary! Such a beautiful couple (love your stilettos btw!)
Tia Brumbelow
Aw happy anniversary! Yum!! enjoy 🙂
Christina
love love LOVE the pictures! And the letter to your hubby…you're so blessed with such a beautiful and loving family!! 🙂
Andi
I love, love, LOVE, how in love you still are with each other! I'm so lucky to be in the same boat. Happy Anniversary! (You guys are so beautiful together!)
Ali Rockwell
So cute! You are adorable!!!
A Day in the Life...
Happy Anniversary! Love reading your blog!
Whitney
Happy anniversary! It's been almost 4 years for us-times flies. BTW, creme brulee is my all time favorite dessert. Love it! Glad you had a good anniversary!
Jennifer
I LOVE Ruth's Chris! Their chopped salad is out of this world! And the creme brulee – Heavenly! Congratulations!
Jen
ilene @ muchloveilly
happy anniversary, ashley! you guys are so stinkin' cute – and i love the letter that you wrote him. 🙂
ilene @ muchloveilly
happy anniversary, ashley! you guys are so stinkin' cute – and i love the letter that you wrote him. 🙂
Audrey Crisp
Happy 5 years! Isn't it funny how things turn out not how you expected? Everything works out just the way it's suppose to though i think… You guys are so
Cute! Looks like you had a great anniversary!
Andrea
Happy Anniversary! You guys are so cute!
We just celebrated our 4th yesterday. And Ruth Chris we got engaged there, it's special to us!
xoxo
claudia b
aw, look at you, miss hottie bride!!! congratulations!
Kendall
Happy Anniversary!! You guys are so cute together! Here's to another 5+ years!
Cherry Blossoms
Happy 5year wedding anniversary! You and your husband are so adorable. May you have many more years of wedded bliss.
andi
happy anniversary! it's our fifth anniversary this year too! we are trying to plan a little getaway, but who knows if it will happen. thanks again for today~
Andi @ the hollie rogue
saturated canary
funny how things change. and the changes all feel right. love your thoughts.
xoxo
Natalie
Happy anniversary! Sounds like you had an awesome night with your man. You guys are so cute!
Cassie
Sounds like ya'll had a wonderful night out. Happy Anniversary to ya'll! =D
Christina
Happy Anniversary! You guys look adorable!
btw: I am loving your shoes!
Jen
Happy anniversary!!
Blake and Lauren
Congrats on 5 years Ben and Ashley! Your dinner looks so delicious! And I am drooling over that creme brulee! Happy anniversary you too!
hannah singer
happy anniversary! y'all are so adorable!
and i will see you at blog sugar! xo
Katie
Happy anniversary! Sounds like a fun night!
Sarah
Happy Anniversary! And congratulations on looking just as happy today as you do in that gorgeous wedding photo. You are so blessed!
bendelmanor.blogspot.com
sarahebendel@gmail.com
MellyB
Happy anniversary! I vote you post more wedding pictures. Unless you have and I missed them. My bad.
When we were dating we wrote ourselves letters to read in 2010. Dudette, nothing we said we were hoping happened had. Nada.
I was not rolling in ridiculous amounts of money a la scrooge mcduck. Nor hanging with famous authors in my Beauty and the Beast inspired library. What up universe?
But your right. What we have is so much better. Who knew a little boy bruiser could make everything else pale in comparison?
She Ra Princess of Milk
Congratulations!!! In todays world five years is a long time, so blessed to see a couple you can envisage making the next 50 look a breeze!!! Two other things…. firstly I knew you were tiny and I read your blog all the time but I guess I never appreciated it until I saw you with your legs up on that little love seat and you looked like a little doll ♥ and secondly creme brulee? I make a mean one… hope to make it for you for supper one day ♥ Congratulations again sweet girl you all deserve every second of your love story- all three of you xxxx
Nicki- @beyondtheboob
Heather
Congratulations, beautiful! I'm so happy for both of you and for your little one. There is so much love in your home <3 Be well – H
elise
Congratulations! You guy's are adorable and inspiring.
Michelle
Happy Anniversary!!! We are 6 months shy of our 5th and it is definitely crazy how things turn out SO differently than what you had imagined. God is good that way isn't He?! Love the post 🙂
...safella...
happy anniversary….
hope both of you will enjoy your future and hope all your dream come true !
CongratulatiOn !!
~keep smile~
frOm, MALAYSIA….
i really like reading ur blog~
Tincha
Happy anniversary! 🙂
Ashley
Happy Anniversary! My husband and I had our wedding reception at a Ruth's Chris in DC, so we go back every year on our anniversary. Isn't it delicious?!
Ashley
Happy Anniversary!!
Erin
Happy anniversary! You two are probably the most precious couple I have ever seen. Sounds like an awesome way to celebrate your 5 years together. Thanks for liking me on Facebook-it made my week and I am not kidding. In fact, I kinda mentioned you today on my blog 😉
You are the cutest.
-Erin
http://www.livinginyellow.blogspot.com
Jennifer
I am new to your blog but I am in love! Happy Anniversary!!! I hope you guys had a fabulous time. And i LOVE those nude shoes. So cute! hehe!
Tonya
Happy Anniversary!! You guys are too cute!! Hope you had a great date night!! Great pics!
B's Mommy
Happy Happy Anniversary! May the honeymoon never end…
Simi
Awww…I'm so happy for y'all! Have a happy year ahead of you! Oh, and gorgeous jacket you've got on. :))
~Simi♥
Kari
I'll be celebrating my 5 year anniversary this summer, too. It will be our first with a little babe…hmmm…we'll probably just do something fun as a little trio.
Anyway, you looked absolutely darling for your date–love the outfit and hair! You should do a post with more wedding pictures. I love your dress; the train looks very similar to mine.
bluebird kisses {ana}
Happy Anniversary!!! I love your wedding pic its super lovely! And I'm so jealous you can wear those amazing platforms! I'm way too tall already to pull something like that off 😀
Brooke and Jonathan
You are so adorable! Congratulations on the 5 year anniversary.
Kels
Happy anniversary! You two seem so happy together. 🙂
also, that creme brulee looks delicious!!!
Have a lovely day! xxxx~Kelsey
Alyssa
YAY! Congratulations! 5 years is a long time! You guys are too cute!
Abbey
Happy Anniversary! You and your hubby are too cute!
hannah.
happy annivesary beautiful lady. i love the belief of being married for eternity. while my husband and i are not lds, we have so many precious and dear friends who are and i love their passion for marriage and for eternal love. hope you had the best day sweet girl.
gustosa giveaways
happy anniversary, very gorgeous couple.
keep the sparks on your eyes, and be in love always
Lindsay
You two love birds make me happy! I think we should have a double date 🙂
Maeve Rachel
Happy Ani! =) You look gorgeous! =) Sounds like a great night =)
stephaniegiese
Happy Anniversary! I'm so jealous that you went to Ruth's Chris. We had our wedding reception at Ruth's Chris, right on the water on Pier 5 in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, but we haven't been able to go back since.
amanda
Happy anniversary, July is thee best time to get married( as I am also a July bride).
Love the shoes!
hotpants™
Great pics! Now, I must go raid the pantry because I'm hungry.
wildchild
aww happy anniversary you two lovebirds 🙂
The Zeediks
what a perfect couple you are! i love when you said at the end, I love you obviously 🙂
Happy Anni!
So glad you went to Ruth's and soo glad you got the chinese "foot" massage! I wonder if it is the same for everyone?? trying to decide if it is worth it too explain to them you just signed up for the foot massage, then deciding they can't understand you, then wondering how much this full body thing costs, wondering why they put you right next to the person you don't know when there are others chairs in the room more adequately spaced. Getting a great massage with little technique and hoping theres no permanent damage done, husband feeling a little panicked about their injury being re injured since there is no smooth communication, sneaking a peek over at your husband to find a tiny viatnamese woman creaping (literally with her feet) up and down your husbands back! And then after all of it, wanting to go back asap 🙂
sorry that was long.
Some Bits of Everything
Happy 5th Anniversary! I have been married 17 years this past February and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Being married to my Hubby and having our two awesome children (boy & diva) and another (boy) on the way has been such a blessing! I wish you many more “HAPPY” years "TOGETHER!"
Dashing Tales
I LOVE your shoes and blazer!!!
Mindy Harris
you'll be at BLOGSUGAR??!?!?!?!?!? me too! oh my gosh! i can't wait to meet your pretty little self. you are so so cute. love these anniversary pics. the shoes are killer.
hot mama!
see you in september!
*
You are too freaking cute, lady! 🙂
The Vintage Modern Bride
aww happy anniversary! i loved this post! (ps where did you get your couch? we've been looking for a cute white one. email back? vintagemodernbride@gmail.com …thanks!)
Renee
Happy Anniversary Sounds like a great evening
Linda Z
You are such a cute couple! I love how you've adjusted to all that life has to offer! 🙂
Lexie Loo & Dylan Too
Happy Anniversary! Sounds like a wonderful date!
Lexie Loo & Dylan Too
Happy Anniversary! Sounds like a wonderful date!
Kate
Congrats on 5 years! Such an inspiration! My hubby and I are going on 2.
Random question… and I mean random!
What size shoe do you wear? And where do you buy your heels? I ask because I know you are a short girl (me too, 5'1") and I have the smallest foot known to man (size 5ish). It is incredibly hard to find cute heels that fit, and aren't out of the girls section!
LOVE your blog and follow religiously!
-Kate
mommakatepala.blogspot.com
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