...because home doesn't happen overnight.

Last night as Handy Hubby and I were getting ready for bed we realized that today was our anniversary.

HH said, “Let’s see. We got married in 2002.  It’s 2011.  That means we’ve been married for nine years.”  Pause.  “HOLY S@&*!”

I reminded HH that we actually started dating when I was 19 which means we’ve been together for 14 years total. {You do the math.} The serious adultness of our relationship set in.

Honestly, though, I don’t feel like it’s been that long.  I’m having more fun with HH now than I did in our early years.  I told him that.  He agreed.

Fact is, 9 wedding anniversaries, 3 houses, 2.5 kids and lots of laughs later, we’re happier than we were a mere 14 years ago. I think the best advice I can give married people is to not act like married people.  Well, other than the monogamous part. Don’t fall into the trap of playing roles day-in and day-out…mom, dad, wife, husband, employee, blogger…whatever various parts you take on in life.  Always bring a piece of your original self to the relationship.  That’s how it began after all. You can still be responsible and respectful without taking yourselves too seriously.

Happy One-Year-Away-From-a-Decade Anniversary, HH!  So grateful for where we are…

…and where we’re going…

Love you.

images:  Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

39 Comments

16.November.2011

Love the post! :) And the pictures. :)

16.November.2011

you guys are just too cute!!!

16.November.2011

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!! :)

16.November.2011

so cute…happy anniversary! :)

16.November.2011

Happy anniversary! Very cute photos!

16.November.2011

Great pictures. You look great!

16.November.2011

Love you. I’m gonna buy you a big chicken sandwich tonight ;)

16.November.2011

Congrats to you both. I have been with my husband for 14 years too but you got us beat with being married and I still think it is crazy how fast time flies by! Crazy! Hope you two do something nice :)

Well you guys are just about the cutest!
Happy anniversary…I thought this post was beautiful, and well said. My husband and I feel the same as you and HH it just keeps getting better.
Happy Wednesday.

16.November.2011

Happy Anniversary! What brand are your cute boots? I’m on the hunt for some just that color and I love that they are mid-calf, not super tall. Please share! Have a wonderful anniversary.

16.November.2011

Happy Anniversary!! Times flies when you’re having fun!!

16.November.2011

Happy Anniversary!
My husband and I have also been together since we were 19, so some 14.5 years and counting… :)

16.November.2011

HH – I’m looking forward to it.

16.November.2011

Laura – Funny you should ask about my boots! I wore them last year for our family pics as well and got asked tons of questions about them. Answered them all in a post here…

https://www.housetweaking.com/2010/12/07/these-boots-are-made-for-walkin’/

Look for something similar anywhere Nine West shoes are sold.

16.November.2011

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY!

16.November.2011

I think it’s great that you both almost forgot your anniversary. My husband and I do this as well, though we do tend to remember the anniversary of our first date.

16.November.2011

Happy Anniversary! I love the family photos – just beautiful!

16.November.2011

Happy anniversary!! :)

16.November.2011

Congratulations! Happy couple = happy family = happy life!

16.November.2011

Congratulations! The photos are so nice and you are so right about what you said … don’t play roles, just be yourselves. My husband and I started dating when we were both 19, too – 16 years ago. We got married in 2003. I cannot imagine being without him. Ever. And our little girl just makes it perfect. We are so blessed.
Jule

16.November.2011

At every anniversary (we’re only on a measly 6, but still) I think about how little I knew my husband when we got married. I thought I knew him, and I thought I was all ready to ace this marriage thing.
Marriage has been tougher and better than I ever thought. And my husband has so much more richness and complexity than I ever knew. All blessings that I did not see coming, but have been great to live in for the past 6 years.
Happy anniversary to you guys!

16.November.2011

what a sweet post:) great looking family

16.November.2011

awwwww you guys are such a cute family. Happy Anniversary!!! :)

16.November.2011

Congrats! I understand what you mean about allowing each to be individuals who grow TOGETHER! Hope you are celebrating :)

16.November.2011

Ahh, you guys are so cute. Great advice by the way.

Best wishes and congratulations :)

16.November.2011

sooo….sweet !! Happy Anniversary :) Love your family pics and your boots :p
I also start dating my hubby when i’m 19 years old, and we have been together for 11 years.
I love your blog, wish i can dyi to re-decorate my house to make it more homy but I don’t have any idea where to start, probably will send you email if I have the time to start it, hope you can help me out :)

17.November.2011

Happy Anniversary. You guys seem so sweet and in love. And I love your advice: “always bring a piece of your original self to the relationship.” So well put.

17.November.2011

happy anniversary! i just found you thru today’s creative blog and i am uber excited! cant wait to read more! what an adorable little family you have! xo

17.November.2011

Happy Anniversary! I found you via Today’s Creative blog (you’re featured!) and am so glad I did, I love your decorating style and can’t wait to scroll through the rest of your blog!

17.November.2011

Just ran across your blog. Happy Anniversary! After being married over 41 years, I promise that it truly does get better and easier each year. I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog.

17.November.2011

Happy Anniversary you two as you celebrate your love for each other and your lives together.

17.November.2011

I love your blog! What great ideas! Your style is awesom! I wish I lived close enough to have taken advantage of your downsizing sale! What incredible taste you have! Can’t wait to see what you do next.

17.November.2011

Your kids look just like each of you!

18.November.2011

Lori – We get that a lot. Layne is HH’s mini-me for sure. Everett looks more like me and my family. I’ve seen childhood pictures of my Dad that could totally pass as E. It’ll be interesting to see whom #3 looks like!

Absolutely wonderful advice! I couldn’t agree more! You guys are an inspiring couple!!!!

18.November.2011

Congratulations! Good and fruitful marriages do exist!

18.November.2011

Happy Anniversary! Enjoy your blog and watching the Underdog progress!

18.November.2011

You have an adorable family. Happy Anniversary!

22.November.2011

Happy anni/blogiversary! Your family is just adorable and reminds me so much of my own (I have a HH, 2 boys about the same age as yours, and am preggo with #3). On a side note, guess what? I just found your boots!!! I’ve been in love with them since you wore them last year but wasn’t ever able to find either them, the Gellar, or anything similar that wasn’t pleather. Your pics here reminded me of them, and I just came across the Sheriff on shoemetro.com! In brown they’ve got them in sizes 7, 8 and 10 only. Yay for size 7! They also have them in black. Best part? I scored them for an amazing $37.39 with free shipping (signed up for their e-mails using my “junk account” & immediately got an e-mail containing a 15% off code)! Plus, I went through shopathome.com, which will give me 5% cash back. Woot! (For those needing other sizes, I also spied multiple listings for them on ebay.) Keep up the fun posts! I really enjoy H*T. :)