John and I celebrated an anniversary this weekend, and despite my high expectations, it seemed our fête was doomed to fail. We'd both had exhausting weeks, full of challenges and frustrations, had hardly seen each other except for a few rushed minutes getting ready in the morning, and by Friday, we got into a tearful argument that had me wondering if we shouldn't just reschedule the whole thing. But when I picked John up from work just after midnight on Sunday, he kissed me sweetly, smiled and whispered, "Happy Anniversary, Laine."

And suddenly, it didn't matter that he didn't have a gift to exchange. It didn't matter that our glasses of Champagne were sipped after he'd spent the evening shaking cocktails, or that we hadn't enjoyed a decadent dinner before our chocolates–eaten in bed, with each of us wearing one half of his favorite pajamas. All that mattered was the two of us, smiling as lovingly at each other as we ever have.


35 comments:

  1. I first loved this blog for the cocktails. Now I can't wait for your Monday morning recaps. I just adore the authenticity and candor with which you write about your relationship. Thank You!

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  2. Awwww. Happy Anniversary. Sometimes the most unexpected is the best. xo

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  3. I'm a bundle of emotions this morning and this just brought me to tears! So sweet. Happy Anniversary!

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  4. True love, I tell ya. I love that you mentioned your argument- it's the most true part of relationships. And what a sweetheart he is for piecing it back together. Sounds like a wonderful end to a hard weekend.

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  5. Awwww...happy anniversary babe!

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  6. Sounds like it ended up perfect after all :)

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  7. Sounds like it ended up perfect after all :)

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  8. Sounds like it ended up perfect after all :)

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  9. This is so beautiful, Lena. Happy anniversary! It sounds like it was perfect. :)

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  10. This made me smile. Happy anniversary to you both!

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  11. perfection. Very sweet! happy anniversary! xoxoxoxo

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  12. aww, i got little goosebumps after reading this. Happy anniversary to the both of you.

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  13. we've had so many of those mini disasters prior to big occasions. but everything always ends up being just as it should, and serves to remind us how lucky we are to have each other. :) happy anniversary darling!

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  14. Good lord you two are precious. Happy anniversary , Lena. I just adore you to pieces. xo

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  15. Love your honesty! Sometimes things don't go as planned, but it's what we make of those challenging situations that shows our character. Thank you for the little reminder. (:

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  16. This is so sweet, it brought a tear to my eye. Happy anniversary to you and your man!

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  17. And that's what really matters in life....
    happy anniversary!!
    xo

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  18. sometimes you just need a good fight to get it all out and move on even better than before. so glad you shared. tis real life after all.

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  19. so sweet... sounds pretty perfect to me!

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  20. awww Happy Anniversary! Glad everything turned out and you had a good time!

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  21. I feel like it is a life rule or something peculiar with the cosmos that makes hyped up events a little less than perfectly aligned....and yet, the beauty is still there.

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  22. That is such a great reminder that you don't need a big event to celebrate an anniversary. Sounds like it turned into a lovely night for the two of you :)

    Stay in the Lines

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  23. Happy anniversary!! Sounds like you knew exactly how to make the best of it.

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  24. Happy Anniversary! Such a good reminder about what really matters in life. Cheers~

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  25. Hooray for a happy ending :-) Happy anniversary!

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  26. Sounds like the perfect anniversary to me!! Happy Day you two!!

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  27. Oh my goodness this got me nearly teary eyed because it's the romance of love. It is often forgotten and/or neglected but it is still so important! This post is just romantic! Happy anniversary to you and your hubs!

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  28. Happy anniversary! It's never about the pressies and the decadent dinners xx

    ~ Clare

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  29. I, too, love your honest and candid reflections, Lena. What's more real than tearful arguments, unmet expectations, and chocolates in bed? Really, some of the most beautiful moments come after disappointments. Cory and I got engaged the day after the biggest fight in our relationship. I was disappointed at first but then so glad he didn't let an argument stand in the way of our plans--a wonderful metaphor for our future together, don't you think? Happy, happy anniversary, my friend. xo

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A Crimson Kiss – Timeless Events and Classic Cocktails by Ana Degenaar : Blogger