Happy Anniversary

Today is our first anniversary. What a year it has been. We are amazed by how far we’ve come and at how far we have yet to go. I want to start this blog off with our vows which we wrote.

” Will you first glorify God in your marriage? That it might be a testimony to his grace and mercy in your lives?
Will you love and cherish each other placing them as your first priority? Making your marriage and love for each other above all others?
Will you serve each other with a humble spirit? That you might extend the humble spirit that Christ portrayed to us.
Will you make honesty a daily goal? To constantly come to each other with openness?
Will you commit your devotion to each other through perilous and joyous times? Whether you are safe or in harm.
Will you entrust to each other your body; in that your mind and your heart? Whether you are ill or well, will you seek their security and protection?
Will you support each other’s talents and gifts and what makes them come alive? Will you encourage them to pursue and achieve all that God has for them?
Will you remember the legacy you have received from your family? Will you pass this legacy on to your children and remind them of the heritage they have been gifted?”

Legacy was the most important factor to our marriage. We wrote a long portion in our program about it and it was in our vows. Both sets of Grandparents on both sides as well as parents had strong marriages and there are no divorces in the legacy that we received. They were all extremely hard working and devoted to their faith and family. This humbled us as we approached our wedding. What a gift we had been giving and what an honor it was to be handed this responsibility.

I have been thinking of my grandparents as we approached our anniversary. Here is one picture of my mom’s parents.

This picture from their wedding sits in our bedroom with our wedding pictures. It is a very important picture to us, reminding us of the commitment that they held.

Then thinking of my Dad’s parents is on a little funnier note. My Grandma Bergen used to go pick out her presents and then tell Grandpa what she wanted for their Anniversary, Christmas or her birthday. Then he would go buy them. I think she wrapped them and then she would open them and act surprised. This always made me laugh and I wanted her to let him surprise her once in a while. Well, for our anniversary, we bought each other watches. (The Modern Tradition for the First Anniversary) We both picked them out….as we are very picky and bought them. It made me laugh as this is what Grandma always did. Here are a few pictures of the new watches.

The American Tradition for the First Anniversary is paper. So we are considering our new “papers” for the loft we just bought to be that gift. 🙂

I want to end with some wedding pictures that we taken a year ago. Jerrod Brown, a dear friend of ours was our photographer and he did a wonderful job.

I hope you all enjoy these and thank you for being a part of our lives.

Babe – I love you. Happy Anniversary!