Personal Post: three years of marriage & i still do

I got the idea from a photographer’s group I follow.  It was truly an excuse for Ben to buy a new suit and for me to get back in my wedding dress, but I loved the idea of an “I Still Do” session.  Our wedding day was wonderful – something I will always treasure – but there was a lot of pressure to do things bigger and more dramatic because of the idea that it’s your only day to really celebrate coupledom.  Our wedding involved hair appointments, a church ceremony, two location stops for photos, and hours dining, drinking, and dancing.  It’s a lot happening at once, and as any bride can attest to, it goes by so fast that it’s hard to remember any of it.

Our “I Still Do” session was a way to celebrate our love story – to reflect on what brought us together and all the ways we have changed in our individual lives and grown together.  Three years brought us many travels (although there can never be too many), a cute, little rescue pup who has us wrapped around her tiny paw (as all our Instagram followers know), and an ongoing renovation of an abandoned 1920s craftsman style home.

Our relationship is one of pushing each other to take risks and chase ideas, and although I love looking back on our beautiful wedding photos, I don’t feel quite like the same person I see in them.  Our anniversary session gave us a chance to share who we feel we are today: a little older, a little smarter, and with less pressure to pretend to be anything we’re not sure we are.  No rhinestone jewelry, no manicure, no ill-fitting rental tux.  The cold, rainy fall day was a reminder of this – that we are not perfect, timing is not perfect and we can either sigh and complain or we can enjoy this moment we have for ourselves and revel in how good and right the imperfection feels.

If three years in my own life has taught me anything, it’s that you don’t have to have all the answers, and when you’re not sure how you feel or what you want, it’s empowering to say “I don’t know”.  If three years in our marriage has taught me something, it’s that being together doesn’t just mean curling up on the couch with someone, it means challenging them and helping them see their own strengths – to give them the boost they need to chase something down.  No pressure to have it all figured out right now.

Happy Anniversary, Ben. Thanks for being a hard worker, for always looking to learn something new, and for believing that the impossible can always be made possible.  <3

Special thanks to our friend and amazing photographer Katie Bobber of Katie Leigh Creative, the very talented (and incredibly sweet) Nichole Campbell of Petal Pusher Floral, and my fantastic hairdresser Amber Funk of Edit Salon.  It’s a blessing to be surrounded by talented people.