Chuck and I just celebrated a monumental occasion.
On October 19, 2012 we had been married for 10 YEARS!!!
Our sweet friends offered to keep Charley for us,
so we celebrated by first going to Sandpiper Restaurant for an appetizer.
Then we rode around, just talking and spending time together.
Finally we ended at Applebees for supper.
Applebees was one of our first date spots back in Gadsden, so it means a lot to us.
It was at a time when Applebees was decorated in local school memorabilia. When we walked in we spotted a yearbook from my high school, and without any hesitation, Chuck took out his Swiss Army knife and unscrewed the annual from the wall! He brought the yearbook to the table so we could look at it while we ate. When we were finished he took it back and he screwed it back in place. Sweet right? I've always been impressed by his willingness to do whatever he felt like doing no matter who was looking and no matter what they might think.
He's the best.
We truly have the best love story.
We go way back.
Chuck was my very first date.
We were both 14.
Chuck's Little League Baseball Coach was my sister's boyfriend, David.
He and my sister thought Chuck and I would make a good pair, so they conspired to get us together. So we found ourselves in the backseat of David's little car, sitting awkwardly next to each other. I was really quite, incredibly shy, and Chuck was a regular chatty Cathy. He was funny too.
While the "date" was sweet, we didn't date again until we were in high school.
That's when we went on what Chuck still refers to as the "perfect date".
I'll share that with ya'll sometime.
Right now I want to share something else.
Wedding Photos
We had a magical wedding.
We got married lakeside at Camp Sumatanga in Gallant, Alabama.
These photos do not reflect the quality of photography provided by my good friend, Celeste Wright.
These are only photos of photos, I took from our album.
We rode in on a horse and buggy.
Though during the actual wedding it was Dad and I,
riding up while Chuck waited at the end of the aisle.
I insisted on being barefoot.
I found a picture of a dress in a magazine and Mom found a lady to make it for me.
The horses were named Cheese and Crackers.
I wore a flower halo.
The weather couldn't have been more perfect.
The cake was red velvet.
Chuck's Granny passed his Granddad Buddy's ring on to him.
My ring was one I was afraid cost too much (a couple of hundred dollars)
but Chuck insisted we get the one I wanted.
I still have my flowers and the halo.
It's a miracle they haven't crumbled to bits.
They've been to Alaska and back.
My choker was old. My dress was new.
My earrings were borrowed. My panties were blue. :)
It was a sweet ceremony.
The whole thing was over too quickly.
After dancing underneath the trees and lights at the reception, we waved goodbye to our family and friends while "The Time of My Life" from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, played in the background. Then Chuck pulled on his rubber boots and carried me, still in my wedding dress, to the canoe. The sun set behind us and fireworks lit up the sky, as we paddled away.
See?
Magical.
I'm so grateful to have had 10 years with this man.
I've always known I made the right choice.
You know, there were other options. ;)
And on another very similar note, Congratulations to my cousin Juston and his new wife, Julie,
who were just married on October 20, 2012!
4 Comments
Awe! Very sweet. Hard to believe it has been 10 years! Happy Anniversary! I completely forgot, but I guess that is what happens to us busy moms:) You did have a magical wedding!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh Hayley, you look so beautiful! I love (love LOVE) your dress. (That's the kinda dress I would wear :) ) Congrats on a major milestone, and may you and Chuck have many, many more happy years together. I loved this entry, it's so sweet.
ReplyDeleteAnd you guys owe all your happiness to me! lol! Just kidding! Happy Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteYOU LOOK SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL in all these pics, Hayley. The recent ones, too. Even MORE so. And Chuck looks very cute. I love seeing these wedding photos. I haven't even seen some of these before. CONGRATS on 10 years, sister. David and I sure knew what we were doing. Just kidding. We didn't have a clue. But we are all super glad y'all stuck. You and Chuck are made for each other. Love y'all.
ReplyDelete