Five years ago I was upstairs staring in a mirror preparing to marry my love Eric. We were married at sunset under pecan trees in Alabama. We decided to spend the morning together taking photos. It was a big celebration for all. All of our dearest friends and family had come from near and far to be with us as we became husband and wife.
This anniversary has been different than ones in the past. It feels like a very big milestone. We live our lives in an open honest way, and we joke about how we’d like to strike year one off the record. Those who know me well, know that I am a big cheerleader for marriage. It is the only thing in life I have experienced that is guaranteed to get better with hard work and laughter. Other things in life just aren’t that way.
I had no idea what I was getting myself into five years ago except that I wanted it. I wanted to be married and live life together. The intent and dedication in the beginning from us both has brought us here. Now we stand two very different people yet way more in love than when we began.
Things about us you may or may not know…
We hold hands a lot.
His wedding ring is a tattoo with my initials.
He is into good beer, I’m into good red wine.
I love all things green.
We’re very honest.
His mind is always creating.
I always have nature around me.
He designs modern stuff.
I get carsick.
We take walks often.
He proposed with twine and not a diamond.
We both love coffee.
He has a patent.
Our kitties are spoiled.
He drove a plaid VW bus when we met.
He asked me out. I declined. Persistance wins.
He flies kites on our rooftop.
Our first apartment was $325 a month.
I am happiest when I am outside.
We believe in naps.
My diet consists of 75% beans. They are just so good!
We value people and their dreams.
I leave my shoes all over the house. Then can’t find them.
I loose my keys daily. He finds them.
We are in love and happy to be Mr. and Mrs. Stevens.
Thought you might enjoy some photos from the last 5 years. WARNING: not all are of professional quality!!
Wedding day – All of these photos were film and scanned in. Carson Studios Photography.
Year 1
Year 2 – We came to Chicago!!
Year 3- We lived on Lake Michigan. Night time strolls on the beach.
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Our first office.
Year 4
Photo courtesy of Oijoy Photo
Here’s to Year 5 and many more happy years to come. Yay marriage!!
Our Muted Love Woodland shoot was featured on Ruffled! Thank you thank you to all the wonderful vendors! If you’d like to see more of this inspiration shoot, click here to go back to the post on the blog!
Elizabeth Anne Designs is one of our favorite blogs and we were thrilled to have Lauren and Matt’s beautiful day featured!! If you’d like to see more of this wedding, click here to go back in the blog and have a looksie.
In keeping with the natural melancholy aesthetic of shoot, the film by Put Down the Bourbon was shot in an dramatic raw perspective with an original music composition by Paper Door. We didn’t want a smooth over-produced video but the edges a bit unkempt and an intimate perspective into this bride’s waiting. Muted Love. from … Continue reading
I am so very excited to bring you this Woodland Inspiration Shoot. A group of talented vendors got together wanting an inspirational shoot void of pastels and pretty pinks to bring imagery to the bride with a love of nature and the beauty in the barren winter months. Katie from Jayne Weddings first hatched this … Continue reading
One shot as a fun Sneak Peek to what I will be posting on Thursday!! Katie from Jayne Weddings , Kelly from Fleur and I got together to brainstorm a wedding inspiration shoot that was void of pastels and appealed to a love of nature and the barren months of winter. This gorgeous dress was … Continue reading
This week started my yearly class at Chicago Botanic Garden teaching Macro Photography in the greenhouse. It is always a welcome change of pace for me to communicate the technicalities of the camera, meet new students and spend some time away from the computer. I wander with my class in the green humidity and it relaxes … Continue reading
Totally didn’t remember his wedding ring was a tattoo. Was this always so?? Your wedding day was a blessing to me! What a beautiful day I will always remember. =)
You two are an inspiration…and my oh my you look young in your early pics! Hard to believe so much wisdom and life experience you can gain in 5 years
Congrats!!!
i know right?? we WERE young!!
he ditched the ring for the tattoo. he’s much happier
Congratulations you guys! From someone who was there on your wedding day (and watched that first picture be taken) let me say that I am so very proud of you guys for all that you have been through! Congratulations on longevity and staying strong for all that you believe in! Love you much!!!
Love reading the blog and walking through memory lane with the pictures!
We’re very proud of you both and love you tons! We pray you will continue to be blessed with the wonderful longterm love, friendship and partnership that marriage brings, as you let God do His work in and through you….better together!!
You are some gorgeous people. You look so happy! Congrats on the five years
These photos capture so much (as usual). And your little musings on the past five years are beautiful too. So glad to have met you both!!!
as someone in the midst of that year one -month 3- that also jokingly might end up wanting to strike it’s existence from the record (marriage IS hard!)
… this was encouraging. thank you for that.