17th Anniversary
This week was busy with Homecoming activities every day, so we divided up our anniversary festivities throughout the week. When Jer came home we had a nice relaxing massage in a salt bath for an hour and a half ❤️. He had the best sleep afterwards, which he absolutely needed.
We’ve had to protect our anniversary from all the other things competing for our time—civic duties, church, the homecoming football game that got rescheduled from lightning, morning decorating for the dance, etc. We said No to all of it, and re-planned our special day around being able to take L to the homecoming dance and caring for our baby since L got sick and needed rest.
My sweetheart made me (and the kids) a super special breakfast. Heart-shaped homemade lemon zesty waffles with from scratch blueberry syrup and extra creamy whipped cream, crunchy bacon (heavy on the crunchy), fluffy buttery eggs, and flavorful sausage.
He has said that he knows if I’ve had a bad day, all he needs to do is make Breakfast-for-Dinner and I’m happy again 😆 I didn’t even know this about myself until he pointed it out! Am I really that easy to read, or is that just what happens when you’ve been together this long? He makes all the little details of his caring tailored just for me, and how comforting it is to feel that someone knows and loves me so well that way…
We celebrated our wedding anniversary with a little day trip in nature. Our scenic drive through the Nebo Loop made us so happy together, holding hands in the car listening to ELO, feeling the wind in our faces, smelling the pine trees, watching the leaves change colors, gasping at the fog and the beautiful misty mountains… I was grinning so much that my face hurt!
The ride culminated in a turn to Payson Lakes for a stroll with our baby. It was the perfect weather for practicing taking landscape photos. Jer brought his camera and I just used the point-and-click on my phone. He tinkered with his settings and figured things out in manual mode, it was so cute watching him work on his camera. He captured a bird way up in the trees at the perfect moment.
Jer had me pick where to eat when we were starving afterwards. I was so relieved when he ended up really enjoying the new place I chose! Haveli Modern Cuisine, on the border of Orem and Provo. I wanted to eat something comforting and warm, at a place where we could sit down and dress up a little. It was our first time at this Indian restaurant, and the drive was worth the lovely view of the mountains while we dined.
We were both in foodie heaven! He got the spicy version of everything haha, lamb vindaloo and chili bullet naan with a Diet Coke. I enjoyed my favorite Indian dishes Saag paneer, garlic naan, and mango lassi. They were cooked perfectly the way I like, with fancy presentation and creaminess. I’m so glad for leftovers!!
Jer and I reflected on our relationship thus far, and the biggest thing we’ve felt is that time is going so fast especially when it comes to our kids. I think it finally hit him that our daughter will be grown up and likely sitting in a restaurant like this on a date of her own not long from now.
We tag teamed it feeding our baby and getting our daughter ready and on to the homecoming dance, then cuddled up on the couch with our bowls of ice cream topped with whipped cream and cherries, and watched our show Animal Control. Comfort at its finest!
Every year and especially on our anniversary I think how happy I am in our marriage, how grateful I am for my husband’s healing and strength in the obstacles we’ve weathered together. I tried to be intentional in searching for the love of my life, and while taking a class about Eternal Marriage almost 20 years ago I made this list after a few days of reflection.
10 Essential Qualities in My Eternal Partner:
- Deep & abiding love for the Savior (testimony of gospel & commitment to follow it)
- Sunny disposition, a good sense of humor
- Ambitious, desiring great knowledge
- Altruistic, sincere & gracious
- Secure & confident, but humble & teachable
- Well-balanced & prioritized
- Adventurous, willing to take risks
- Close to home & family, will make a great father because family is important to him
- Faithful, supportive, willing to share & sacrifice, trusts in the Lord
- Committed to strive together toward perfection
My Sweetheart checked off every single item, and that’s just one way I have felt so secure in choosing him again and again. I love you, Jeremy- happy anniversary! ❤️
