One Entire Year

So slow on this post! Doug and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary on June 1st. The past year went by so fast. Part of me is so surprised that I have already been married a whole year, but on the other hand I can't believe its only been a year. I am already quickly forgetting what it felt like to be single. Thank goodness.

Part 1 of the anniversary day: Waffles made by my sweetheart. 

Part 2: He let me get my hair done. Summer highlights? Don't mind if I do.

Part 3: Going to dinner at a great Italian restaurant. Had a gift card and a coupon. Score! Great food for a great price.

Part 4: Coming home from dinner to this:

My mom had been hanging on to all our extra wedding announcements for an entire year just to bomb us on our anniversary. Silly lady. But it was sure a funny surprise to come home to. We came home the next day from our outing and found our faces all over the parking lot thanks to that wind.

Part 5: Going to the dollar theater to see The Great and Terrible Oz. We spare no expense.

Part 6: Cautiously tasting the top of our wedding cake (which my mother had also saved for an entire year in the freezer). Then really enjoying the cheesecake that Doug and I had made together. 

The best part of the anniversary was spending the entire day with my best friend. The past year has been the best ever. Everybody said that the first year would be the hardest, and if that's the case then I say bring on the rest!! I can't wait for the years to come. I love you, Doug.

Just Me and My Dad

This being Father's Day I thought I would take a moment to reflect on my own father, who I love very much. I think there is a special bond between fathers and daughters that just can't be replaced. I am so grateful that I have such a loving father who taught me so much. Sure we had our battles (what daughter and father don't?) but we have had some great times together.

My dad and I are very similar. We both have similar tempers, which can usually be manageable, unless we are together, in which case if there happens to be a point of disagreement we must battle it out (very loudly), even if the issue is who left the basement lights on which is a dumb thing to fight about. We both have wide feet. We both like to be funny. We have enormous sweet tooths (sweet teeth?). We love the Oregon Coast. We like to win. We like to drive aggressively assertively. We like to give advice to others, with the best intentions of course.

"Just Me and My Dad" is a one of my favorite childhood books. Little Critter and his Dad go on a camping trip. Little Critter is too little and young to do lots of things and keeps making mistakes like knocking down the tent, and letting a bear take their freshly caught fish. But the best part of the story is that Little Critter and his dad get to spend time together, just the two of them.

Thank-you, Dad for spending time with me, just the two of us. Those are some of my favorite memories. I loved going on walks with you and talking about everything- boys, college, careers, and movies. Oh those late nights of math homework trying to explain things a different way than the teacher did and making it ten times more confusing. At least we got the right answers in the end. I loved working on the Young Women's pinewood derby car with you (which we totally won). Thanks for teaching me how to water-ski, play softball, mow the lawn, and ride a bike. Where would I be without a dad like you? Thank you for being a great dad! I am so glad I have you to turn to when I have questions about finances or computer issues. Thanks for being a great support in my life. I love you.

Giving me some last minute advice on marriage.