5 years!

Today Jeff and I celebrated our 5th anniversary! I seriously can't believe that it has been 5 years. I think I've experienced more life in the past 5 years than I have in the 33 years that preceded it! I have been humbled by the blessings I've received as Jeff and I have made this journey into uncharted waters. I wish I could report that the past 5 years have been free of any major typhoons or tsunamis...but that is not true. We have had moments when it has seemed that our little ship would be utterly destroyed, but one thing I have learned is that our love is stronger than any wave in the sea we're on. I think we both knew that we would have obstacles to overcome, but I don't think either of us anticipated the emotional toll it would take. Still, I wouldn't change those moments for anything. It is because of those moments that we have grown so close. It is because of the tears that the laughter becomes so sweet. It is because of the heartache that the capacity for love has grown. It is because of the dark times that the light is brighter. I am eternally grateful for a husband who loves me when it's hard to see why...and whom it's easy to love even when I may be frustrated or hurt. I can't imagine what life would be like without him in it. He truly is "my life, my love, my only" (lyrics from our wedding song - Never Stop).

Our 5th anniversary was simple. There was no huge trip or blaring fanfare. I woke up to three dozen roses and chocolate (that's how every morning should be!), and he woke up to a hammer. Haha! The traditional gift for a 5th anniversary is wood. I wasn't sure a cutting board, cheese board, or picture frame would do...so I had a wooden handled hammer engraved with "Building our Lives Together since 2013!" That seems more practical for my practical husband. The rest of the morning/early afternoon was simply spent together...with Jonas. We ran some errands, had lunch, and indulged in the BEST donuts EVER! I have heard about these donuts from several people. We were finally up near Lehi to go to Lehi Bakery to get some. It was well worth it! I seriously think I experienced sugar shock...but I couldn't stop eating them.

That evening, Jeff and I left Jonas with the older boys for a real anniversary date. We started the evening at the Provo City Center Temple. I couldn't imagine a better way to celebrate our anniversary than to go to a temple to remind us of the promises we made on our wedding day...and to give thanks to the one who made it all possible - our Father in Heaven. I am grateful for Jeff's faith. I am grateful for mine. I can't fathom what our lives would be like if we didn't have the guidance of our faith and our religion. It has been our North Star through all of this. I love that I get to walk along side a man who wants to do right, to be kind, to make the world a better place because of what we believe. I am the luckiest girl in the world!

After the temple, we had dinner at a charming European style restaurant in the Riverwoods called La Jolla Groves. The food was great, but the company was priceless. I loved today. I loved that I just got to spend it with Jeff. We didn't do anything spectacular, but we made each other a priority. We talked, we laughed, we planned for the many more years we get to enjoy together. I love you Jeff! Thank you for a wonderful day!