This morning we will share
anniversary breakfast, read
hand-written cards and talk
in low
coffee voices though
our youngest is already awake,
sitting at the table
with us,
in the flickering
morning candle
light.
We will tell her about the day we
married and the white tulips
and the periwinkle
dresses and the weather like
today’s and the promise to love
each other
always.
My husband and I will talk
details of our week between
scrunch-eyed smiles,
bites of yogurt
and long breathed
memories.
I will notice again in photographs
the joy tears at the
altar and the way I held
my chin high
with almost startling confidence, knowing
I was linking arms with my love
and my best
friend.
Fourteen years now,
grateful.
Later this morning
I will drive south with my
mama for
the birth of my younger sister and
brother-in-law’s
wrinkled miraculous
third, and we will cry
and touch and
stand amazed as
we watch hearts burst wide open to embrace
this new glorious life
with his own cry and his own eyes
and his family that oozes love,
just oozes it.
I will be so proud of my
sister I will hardly breathe.
This week l will let my heart rest in still places
between celebration and remember
pain and sacrifice that makes
joy,
all of this unbelievable
grace-filled, love-birthed
joy
complete.
Connecting through the power of stories written, spoken and lived
This just made me feel so full of joy and happiness for you and your beautiful family! What blessings for all of you!! So tenderly written! xo Smidge
Thank you, Smidge. Feeling so grateful today.
Beautiful! Your write with such purity. You observe so well, you make us take notice of the things that really matter.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
Thank you, Papa! I so appreciate your comment! Michael and I will get to the beach in a few weekends to celebrate our anniversary more. This photo makes me look all the more forward to that. :)
Happy Anniversary, Ash and Mike! You always were one of my favorite couples.
Thank you, Kath! :)
You and your writings are such a blessing in our lives. As Pete said, you make us notice the little, but important things that are so easily overlooked. Happy Anniversary and hug Ali and the little one for me! I love you all so much!!
Thanks, Auntie, for your dear words. We will give the baby big hugs for you. Love you!
Happy Anniversary, Mike and Ashley!
Thank you, Rebs. xoxo
Love and joy to you both, to you all. What a wonderful blog this is and how perfectly you capture moments and share them with us.
Thank you, Martha. Remember so clearly the love and strength Andy was for Mike that day. :)
Happy Anniversary and blessings for years to come. Bless the Williams and their new baby boy, Love you! Mom
Thank you, Mom. Love you. And we’ll pass on lovin’ to the Williams clan.
Astoundingly beautiful. That is all. Exquisitely and astoundingly beautiful. And Happy Anniversary Ashley & M!! Blessed be!
Thank you, Mama. We feel much blessed today.
Hello sweet sister of Ali ! you write so beautifully and from depths of your heart. I smile and am blessed when I read your accounts and heart-thoughts. Praying safe journey to Medford for you and your Mom. Have never met you but ADORE your sis and her dear household. Sharing the impeding joy with all of you as you greet this little fella tomorrow. Thanks for coming to help Jeff and Ali. Not the ideal way to spend your own anniversary….but typical of the generous hearts in your fam. Wishing you and your husband many more years of blesssing in your marriage and with your munchkins.
Mary Lee, I am so touched by your words. Thank you for your comment. I am dearly grateful for my sister and for her precious family. So thankful, too, that she has kind, loving ones like you in Medford who stand in the gap with family far away. Bless you and your family, too!
Happy anniversary and new nephew! How well I remember your lovely wedding, and how nice you will all be together to welcome Ali’s new baby. Hugs, everyone xo p.s. I anticipate a beautiful “draw near” once you and Mike have celebrated your anniversary at the beach :-)
So glad you could share in our wedding with us then and in memory now. You are so dear. We’ll pass on the hugs! :)
Happy Anniversary!!! Was thinking about you two the other day and how close your special day was coming. LOVED those periwinkle dresses and the tulips, can still see it and feel it today. So exciting to get a new nephew as well!! Love to Ali and Jeff as well. Hugs to you!
How sweet that you still remember all those details. Was so special to have you with us that day. Thankful for your friendship. xoxo