Yesterday was our anniversary and though I always seem to forget, I'm lucky enough to have my friend, Coral (who shot our wedding) and my friend, Marilou (who shares the same anniversary) to remind me.
Just a few days prior, I said to Josh, "We aren't buying each other presents or anything are we?" with a tone in my voice that suggested that "No." would be my favorite answer. (I'm a sucky gift-buyer.)
He laughed (because he knows I'm a sucky-gift buyer) and said, "No." and instead, suggested that we write each other a letter, with one stipulation...that we had to draw a picture on the back of it (and then I added that we should write down five questions to go along with our letters/drawings.)
So he cooked dinner last night (salmon and zucchini and salad) and then we hooked the kids up with a Disney movie, so we could sit outside on the front porch, eating dinner, having a few drinks and reading our letters, with only a few interruptions from Courtney Lee and Yans, who snuck out the back door to spy on our front porch 'date.'
Josh's picture was from us swimming in Santorini.
And my picture (I had to Google how to draw a dolphin and an airplane.) was a collage of a several things, including an airplane (We met on an airplane.) and a ship named "Kismet." (The day before meeting Josh, I told Karen Burniston - who I still love and adore, even if we haven't talked in eons - that I had zero interest in dating. Yawn if you're already heard this story. So when I told her about meeting Josh on the plane, she called it "Kismet." And then a few months later, we went on a trip to the beach and happened across a ship named, "Kismet.)
And then he snuck in a batch of brownies without me realizing it (and gave the kids the green light to grab some spoons and the batter bowl to eat while they watched their movie) and we fell asleep watching Last of the Mohicans.
Totally my kind of an anniversary. (Good food, good drinks and no gift-giving.)
P.S. Our wedding photos are here, here, here, here and here.
Happy Anniversary! I'm always in hopes that my hubby will buy me something wonderful, but that's only happened once so now we're back to no gifts!:) But your evening sounds lovely!
Posted by: Addie | May 23, 2013 at 02:20 PM
Happy Anniversary!! Last of the Mohicans is one of my all time favorites!!
We always do the no gift thing, but always have a wonderful homecooked meal (usually italian - in the blood), lots of wine and enjoy the night!!
Congrats
It was wonderful to revisit your wedding pictures - beautiful memories and moments!!
Posted by: Nicky from Okotoks | May 23, 2013 at 04:11 PM
Happy Anniversary! Those are my favorite type of anniversaries! Sounds like it was very nice. Love the pictures you two drew! :)
Posted by: Shan | May 23, 2013 at 06:45 PM
We aren't "Gifters" either! We live on LOVe...lol. Happy Anniversary Love Birds!!!
Posted by: kat-in-texas | May 23, 2013 at 07:32 PM
We didn't gift either this year. Someone got a new camera before Christmas and I'm pretty sure it was a Christmas, Valentine's day, anniversary, and birthday gift. Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: Kelli | May 23, 2013 at 09:01 PM
Happy Anniversary. I can just picture you two on the porch and having the "girls" sneak out! Thanks for the link to your photos...SO beautiful. A delight!
Posted by: janel | May 23, 2013 at 09:09 PM
So sweet! Happy Anniversary! I'm always amazed at your creativity... these are the things your kids are going to recall when they grow up. They'll be talking for years about how fun you've always made everyday life.
Posted by: Kathy R in NC | May 24, 2013 at 04:31 AM
Happy, Happy Anniversary, Karen!!
Glad it was a fun one for you both....sounds like my kind of "date" and anniversary celebration, too. :-)
Love and Best Wishes for 100 more anniversaries, just as happy and just as special.
Love you!!
Posted by: LaVonne | May 24, 2013 at 06:24 AM
Every year is to be congratulated! Oh how it gets better with time too! Thank you for sharing your wedding photos. Never get tired of hearing how you both met either :)
Posted by: Celeste | May 24, 2013 at 08:53 AM
Happy Anniversary to a very cool couple!
Posted by: Tracy | May 24, 2013 at 01:17 PM
Happy anniversary! and i so loved looking at your wedding photos.
Posted by: Christine Veira | May 24, 2013 at 01:38 PM
Happy anniversary!!
Posted by: jacki | May 24, 2013 at 08:27 PM
I know you are not the type to sugar coat anything. Matter of fact you are as up front about the real not so good stuff as anyone. But sometimes its okay to be real about how SO GOOD things are. And your little aniversary story is oh so good. You deserve it. From a single mom to a previous single mom, that kinda good stuff is such a blessing,and indeed something to be proud of. Happy Happy Aniversary Karen & Josh. Im praying you have many, many more! (P.s. why dont I ever get to sit next to hot guys on a plane?? lol)
Posted by: Melinda~ | May 25, 2013 at 09:23 AM
Happy Anniversary!! I know you don't know me, and I've probably only posted a handful of times, but bear with me on the next part ;). Go back to your wedding photos (part IV) and scroll down to the black and white photo of you and Josh Downs back to back (the one where you wrote "...its just SO not me"). Now, listen to Justin Timberlake's new song, "Mirror", and stare at that picture. Perfect, right?
Posted by: Kat | May 25, 2013 at 09:55 AM
Josh's stick figures crack me up, especially next to your sophisticated dolphin. Simplicity! Happy Anniversary.
Posted by: Mannie | May 25, 2013 at 07:11 PM
Happy anniversary! What a sweet idea...I just LOVED looking at all your wedding photos..you should share them more often :)
I want more stories of how you guys met & how he proposed :)
Posted by: Amanda @ Click. The Good News | June 05, 2013 at 05:59 PM