What’s simpler than saying, “I do,” to the man you love on a sugar-sand beach in the Virgin Islands?
Ten years ago today, I married the love of my life. We opted for a simple beach wedding, just the two of us, on the island of St. John. The day we got married was overcast and gray, not at all the vibrantly-colored, picture-perfect day I’d ordered. But we went for it. And within a few minutes of saying our vows, the sun burst forth for the first (and last) time that day, providing us with a stunning sunset we’ll always treasure.
He still makes me laugh. He still treats me like a princess. I still get lost in his coffee-brown eyes (when he isn’t shy about letting me stare into them). He supports me in whatever I do, unconditionally. He is a loving father who inspires our children’s imaginations and indulges them in their dreams.
Marriage isn’t always easy. In ten years, we’ve learned that. We’ve had to work at it sometimes. We’ve made compromises. We’ve seen dark days together. But we’ve also recommitted to loving each other for the sake of ourselves as much as for our children. I love this man with all of my heart.
This past August, we traveled back to St. John for the first time since our wedding/honeymoon. It was also the first time we’d ever left our kids for a week. And, as much as I’d worried about leaving our kids for so long, this trip was exactly what we needed.
We laughed. We reconnected. We read. We snorkeled. We ate and drank (with abandon!). We slept in. We swam. We explored the island. And we talked.
It was glorious. No interruptions. No schedules. No responsibilities. Taking a week-long trip with your spouse? HIGHLY recommended.
And our kids had a blast with their aunt, uncle, and cousins. They enjoyed staying up late during their week-long slumber party, watching shows they don’t normally get to see at home, attending art camps, and swimming with their auntie. Kids need a break from us as much as we can use one from them every now and again. I never understood this until I saw how beneficial it was for all of us to spend some time apart. And, look, they missed us as much as we missed them!
I’m honored and blessed to be spending this day with the man I love, who, knowing how crazy, controlling, and weird I am, loved me enough to marry me anyway. And, he’s stuck with it for 10 years! There should be a special award for the guy who voluntarily puts up with my nuttiness every day. But, true to form, he didn’t get a medal and, instead, gave me flowers and See’s Candies. He knows me, this man. And he loves me anyway. Happy 10th anniversary, honey!
Visit Flickr for a full set of our 10th anniversary St. John trip photos.
How are you spending your Sunday? Show off your Simple Things Sunday photos with Stacy and Rebecca and link up!
So stinkin’ sweet! Made me tear up! Happy Anniversary Colleen and many,many more!
Thank you, Laura. I’m a very lucky lady. 😉
Happy anniversary, Colleen, to you and your husband. May you have many more years of happiness!
Thank you so much, Larissa!
What a beautiful story! I loved the sweet message from your kiddos! http://www.fitmommysa.blogspot.com
Wasn’t that cute (and hilarious), Andrea? We’re so lucky to have them. We had a great time but we missed them so much too.
I think I told you we celebrated our first anniversary in St John! Loved it – totally unplugged from everything! Can’t wait to head back one day……..
Yes, that’s right, Debra! Isn’t St. John a magical place? I think it’s the most beautiful place in the world.
Happy Anniversary Colleen! What a sweet post, and you couldn’t have picked a more beautiful place to get married. We spent our honeymoon in St. John and I would die to go back there for our 10 year anniversary!
St. John is my favorite place, Haeley. It’s so neat to hear you honeymooned there too! We are hoping to take our kids there on our next trip. Can’t wait to teach them to snorkel. 🙂
Dear Colleen, this was so sweet to read and very nice for you to share with the world. Happy 10th Anniversary! It IS so important to take the gift of time for yourself and your hubby to rejuvenate and reconnect. So happy you did it in such a beautiful place.
Thanks, Pattie! And I saw you just celebrated an anniversary too. Congratulations to you and your sweet husband.
Congratulations! Here is to wishing you a life time of happiness!
Thank you so much, Kelleyn! I appreciate you visiting my site from Simple Things Sunday. I love that meme. 😉
Colleen you look so happy in our photos! Congratulations on your anniversary! I loved taking a glimpse of your trip through the flikr photos. Im so jealous of your turtle photos and how blue that water is. Looks like you had a great trip!
That’s a beautiful post-Colleen. We haven’t been married for long, but I glimpses of our marriage in yours. I hope we feel the same when our marriage turns 10. Fingers crossed. I wish you all the happiness in years to come.