11 years and counting

On Saturday, Eric and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary. It stuns me to think how much time has flown by since we said "I do" and how much our lives have changed over the past 11 years. I never anticipated finding so many new ways to fall in love with Eric, but seem to discover a new way just about every day.

To celebrate our day, we had eggs benedict for breakfast (oh yeah, baby!). It might not sound like much, but that is my absolute favorite breakfast and such a decadent dish. We even pulled out a bottle of champagne and made mimosas (with cranberry juice ... we didn't have any O.J.) To make breakfast even more special, I served the mimosas in the toasting flutes we used at our wedding reception. The kids wanted fancy glasses, too, so we let them use some apéritif glasses we had in the cupboard. We were quite the group of fine diners, let me tell you!

After breakfast, we bundled up and took a walk to the nearest Starbucks and enjoyed some beverages; shockingly, the kids said they were hungry, so split a chocolate doughnut as an extra treat. On the way home, we stopped by one of the kids' favorite playgrounds. Because it was a cold, rainy day, we had the entire place to ourselves. The kids had a great time burning off some excess doughnut-induced energy!

Conor enjoying his mid-morning refreshment

If her mouth wasn't full of doughnut, Annika would have said "YUM!"

 

 

10 Years and Counting!

Ten years ago today, Eric donned his tuxedo and I put on my pretty white gown. We stood in front of our families and closest friends. We laughed. We cried (OK, I cried). We pledged to stand by each other in good times and bad. We promised to love each other for the rest of our lives. We became husband and wife.

Life is full of decisions... some work out, some don't. Some were easy, while others were painstakingly difficult and resulted in life's lessons learned. Still other decisions simply don't play into the grand scheme of things—such as what color socks to wear.

In all of my years, there has never been an easier or best made decision than when I chose Eric as my spouse. He has made me happier than I could have possibly imagined by partnering with me to build a life I am proud of and enthusiastically work hard for. He blessed me with our two amazing children; I cannot imagine a life that does not include their smiling faces, laughter, and love.

I am grateful for many things in life, but at the top of the list is my one true love, my sweet husband.

I love you, Sweetie. Here's to the first ten years and hoping the next ten are just as amazing!

Eric & Meredith - 11/17/01