A few months ago, a past student (who shares the same wedding anniversary as Josh and I) emailed to say that she wanted to take my One Day Photographers' Workshop in Florida but felt bad since it meant she'd be missing her wedding anniversary. She figured since I was missing mine though, that maybe it wouldn't be a big deal to miss hers as well.
Unfortunately, I hadn't actually realized that I would be missing my anniversary until after I read her email.
I guess I'm just not an anniversary-type of girl.
A few weeks before our very first anniversary, I called Josh, excited about a Photoshop class I wanted to take on May 22nd. Josh (who had made surprise plans for our first anniversary) said, "Baby, don't we have something scheduled on May 22nd?" to which I replied, "No, I checked the Google Calendar and May 22nd is clear."
In my defense though, Josh Downs spent our last anniversary in Hawaii, without me. Granted, he was there for military stuff, but it's still a fun card for me to hold.
In fact, I played that card after realizing I was going to be in Florida, teaching on our anniversary this year.
So we decided to celebrate our anniversary early in Ferndale CA, where Josh was working on a project last week.
We headed out of town Wednesday afternoon in a big, old, Ford truck with an exhaust leak (His bosses truck.) and 25,0000 pounds worth of equipment loaded on a trailer behind us.
We stopped in Grants Pass to grab lunch and got into Ferndale around 8:00 p.m., just in time to unload our stuff and grab a late dinner at the hotel.
The next morning, we had breakfast and then Josh headed off for work and I headed out for a run. (The fact that I actually enjoy running enough at this point in my life to willingly hit the pavement while on vacation still boggles my mind.) Josh had scheduled a manicure/pedicure for me later in the morning and once he got done working, we rode our bikes to the beach. (It was only a 10 mile ride but I swear it was uphill both ways.)
After we loaded our bikes back up in the truck, we laid down in the grass under a tall, church steeple and a big, blue sky. (My favorite memory from the whole trip.)
That night, we had dinner in the bar of the Ivanhoe, listening to an open mic of old but wonderful songs like Honeysuckle Rose. I don't think anyone that performed was under 70 years of age. There was an 88 year old gal, yodeling and playing a steel guitar and an accordion player, dressed in pressed blue jeans who looked old enough that he might actually expire during his performance. The place was filled with what looked like regulars and I spent a good chunk of the evening admiring a table full of 80+ year old couples who were laughing, singing along with the music, rubbing their spouses shoulders and eating out of a brown bag full of snacks they must have brought from home.
I don't know that you could ask for a better evening at 80 (or at 38.)
Packed up early the next morning, had breakfast and was back on the road so we could make it home before Ross (who was watching the kids) had to be to work.
Before we left though, I took my camera out for the first time and only time during trip...
Happy (early) Anniversary Josh Downs. You're the best person I know.
Happy early anniversary to the both of you!
Posted by: Dina | May 15, 2011 at 03:11 PM
Happy Anniversary to you and can I say you are looking super skinny in the photo!
Posted by: Sara Padgett | May 15, 2011 at 03:13 PM
Happy Anniversary Karen and Josh!!! What a lovely way to spend it and adorable photo, too!!!
I sure miss your class and I WILL be writing my evaluation soon...just had to decompress from all the info you gave us ;)
Christine S
Posted by: Christine | May 15, 2011 at 03:29 PM
Happy Anniversary!!!
I so wanted to take your class. Even, finally bought a dslr. Then my future DIL asked me to go wedding dress shopping that weekend in Orlando. So I booked my plane ticket. THEN, last week she emailed to say she'd found her dress, on sale, 75% off, so she bought it.....how mad do you think she would be if I flew into Orlando to go to the Villages for your class?? She still wants me to come, to discuss wedding plans, etc.
She is a keeper, we all LOVE her, so I'm going with her. But do know, my heart will be with ya'll too! DANG IT!
Posted by: JaYne | May 15, 2011 at 03:47 PM
Sol great! Happy 3rd anniversary coming up.... :)
Posted by: Kathy C. | May 15, 2011 at 04:00 PM
Happy anniversary ! May 22, a very popular date. It will our 18th wedd anniv
Posted by: Lynda P | May 15, 2011 at 04:03 PM
On May 22nd this year, my parents will have been married 52 years.
Posted by: deb | May 15, 2011 at 05:18 PM
Good hair day, Karen - YAY!!!! :-D
Happy Anniversary <3
Posted by: Melissa | May 15, 2011 at 05:40 PM
Happy Early Anniversary! This is a breath taking photo, how magical Karen!! And by the way you look AMAZING and soooo skinny girlfriend! Hugs from Conroe, TX!
Posted by: Nancy Wyatt | May 15, 2011 at 05:59 PM
Happy early anniversary! You look great Karen!
Posted by: Alby | May 15, 2011 at 06:18 PM
I love the pic. Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: Helena | May 15, 2011 at 06:26 PM
Your anniversary and my birthday are one in the same! Happy anniversary!
Posted by: Rae | May 15, 2011 at 06:53 PM
you look skinny. that's all:)
Posted by: mandy friend | May 15, 2011 at 07:03 PM
How sweet. You & Josh seem to have such a great relationship. I love the pictures you are able to get of the two of you-how do you get him to go along with taking them? My husband would be embarrassed. Happy Anniversary to you both!
Posted by: Shannon | May 15, 2011 at 07:24 PM
Happy Anniversary to both of you and that ONE PHOTO is AMAZING........... you have done it again. One beautiful memory of words and one simple (but clever photo). Kathy A (Brisbane, Australia)
Posted by: Kathy | May 15, 2011 at 07:28 PM
this picture is stunning. Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: alyssa | May 15, 2011 at 07:47 PM
One photo is all you needed. It is lovely!
I so wanted to go to your class in FL. My daughter is running a 5K and I couldn't bring myself to miss it.
Oh and BTW, I feel the same about running. I said I would never run and now I love it.
Happy Anniversary.
Posted by: Sara Mangan | May 15, 2011 at 07:51 PM
What a beautiful photograph, the way it's framed. I love it!
Posted by: Ado | May 15, 2011 at 08:13 PM
LOVE IT!!! Happy Anniversary ;)
Posted by: Sarah van Wijck | May 15, 2011 at 08:43 PM
love the photo!
Posted by: colleen | May 15, 2011 at 09:40 PM
Happy Anniversary! Thanks for sharing your life with us. What a beautiful shot - nice job with the back lighting.
Posted by: Ashley S. | May 15, 2011 at 10:37 PM
Happy Anniversary! I love the photos of you and Josh. Do you use the self timer or have someone take them? Are they natural or do you stage ythem and if so is Josh happy to play along? Sorry - too many questions :lol:
Posted by: Kathy (kathyb) | May 16, 2011 at 05:49 AM
Happy Anniversary Karen and Josh Downs! The photo is just lovely and both of you look so happy together. Thanks for sharing your life with us.
Posted by: Alaina | May 16, 2011 at 07:11 AM
Happy Anniversary Karen and Josh...I wish you a love filled year.
Our Anniversary is the 23rd...30 years we have been married. I fell in love with him the first time our eyes met and I fall in love with him all over again every time he looks at me.
Theres a sign on the wall in our bedroom "Grow old with me...the best is yet to be"
Says it all for me...
Posted by: Julie in Aust. | May 16, 2011 at 07:26 AM
I love that picture!
It was our anniversary on May 6. Hubby emailed from work saying that since it was our 15th and he'd just gotten a new mountain bike and I'd just gotten a 24-70mm lens, we wouldn't buy anything but we'd have dinner or something inexpensive. I said no problem. It wasn't until days later that I realized our daughter was turning 15 so that meant we were celebrating our 16th anniversary. We had a good laugh. We aren't anniversary celebrators and it shows.
Posted by: Kelli | May 16, 2011 at 08:34 AM